Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we hear in the Scriptures about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their attitudes which went contrary to the will of God, and then contrasting these with the works and actions of the disciples of the Lord, as shown by St. Paul and his co-workers in faith, as they laboured and toiled hard in many cities during the early years of the Church.

What is shown here is the contrast between faith that is superficial and faith tat is true and deeply rooted in the heart and soul. The faith of the Pharisees was of the former type, as they put great importance in the external applications of the faith, including the observances of the laws that emphasised on the purity of the exterior, and if we look at the examples found in the Gospels, we see how they criticised Jesus and His disciples because they did not wash their hands, purify themselves before certain events, and many other things, such as the observance of the sabbath law.

Indeed, it is good for one to follow and obey the Law of God in all of its forms, as obedience to the Law helps one to straighten his or her own path, so that in all things, they may always stay close to the way of the Lord. However, when the obedience of the Law becomes an obsession and twisted from its true nature, that is where the danger lies, as fulfilling the Law itself no longer something that is fulfilling inside our hearts, but rather becomes a chore and a mindless and repeated meaningless actions.

The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were criticised and rebuked by Jesus, because they did all of their actions for show, and for self-glorification, surrendering themselves to the whims of their desires and wants. They had power and influence in the society, and people looked up to them, putting their trust in them. But these so called leaders and shepherds had themselves gone astray, because in their actions they wanted to fulfil what they wish first, even at the expense of others if necessary.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, they sinned because through their actions, not only that they had not been humble before the Lord, and not just that they had shown great wickedness in their selfish actions and behaviours, but also that because in their positions of power and privilege, they have abused these and misled the people of God into sin themselves.

Contrast this to the Apostles and the disciples of Christ, as they did not pursue things for their own greatness and glory, and instead they worked and laboured hard for the greater glory of God. They did not seek to satisfy their own desires and wishes, but instead gave it all to fulfil the will of God, which through all their works were made true in this world.

They showed by great examples, the way to be followers of the Lord, and even though they were persecuted and rejected, they continued to work hard in service to God and to His beloved people. They persevered through all the difficulties and sustained themselves through all the challenges and oppressions, and by their work, they showed forth the true faith they had in them, and many people heeded their call for repentance and conversion to the faith in the Lord.

It is something for us to learn, that just as the Apostles and the disciples of the Lord did not forsake their faith and their Lord in times of difficulty, and as they gave themselves completely to the service of their Lord and God, we too should follow in their footsteps and walk righteously and justly in the presence of our Lord. God rewards all those who are righteous and just, and He will bless all those who remain faithful to Him and have true love and dedication for Him in their hearts, and not just external devotion or appearing to be faithful.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all be faithful to the Lord our God in all things, and let us all seek Him with all of our heart’s strength and might. May we all be closer and closer to His heart and be filled forever with His wondrous love. God bless us all. Amen.