Woe to Them

Today’s Gospel Text: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Matt 23:13-22

Reflection:  Some of the curses that the scribes and Pharisees incur upon themselves, on account of their sinful behavior, should make us reflect.

What is so grievous about their sin? For this we need to understand the human state of affairs and the mission of God, in sending his Son Jesus so as to save us.

The fallen human race, which was on the road to destruction and condemnation, always had God’s special attention and yearning to save to it; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

In the Old Testament, he prepares a people to bring forth the savior of the world.

There would have been no need of a savior if mankind could save itself apart from God’s help. This is the folly of world religions that have an elaborate laws and formulas in order for their adherents to enter eternity. 

The Christian faith proclaims a salvation not so much in the Laws or commandments or the teachings of Jesus alone or his values but in the very person of Christ Jesus, who still is with those who believe in him and his promises, in order to save them.

This Salvific action of Jesus, is also accomplished through us his instruments, along with the church triumphant and heavenly hosts.

What then would be the fate of the world, if the followers of Christ, witness to a gospel other than that which has come to us from the apostles.

Should not the woe of Jesus apply to them: “…..you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (vs. 13)

Even in our times we have programs for neo-converts where there are taught that salvation is possible through every religion in the world and what is important is to proclaim gospel values and not Christ.  

Prayer: Lord, let me not be a scandal to the world by not believing in the good news of the Salvation you offer by your death on the cross.

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