Help and Hypocrisy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be aware of the "worthiness" of all God’s children to live in the Love and Care of the Creator.

Help for All People

In the Reading from the First Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul describes his Ministry Among Them.

* [2:4] Judged worthy: Paul regards “worthiness” not as grounded in one’s own talent or moral self-righteousness but in God’s discernment of genuinely selfless attitudes and actions (see 2 Cor 10:17–18).

* [2:7] Gentle: many excellent manuscripts read “infants” (nēpioi), but “gentle” (ēpioi) better suits the context here. (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 139 is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze.

* [Psalm 139] A hymnic meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience. The psalmist is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze (Ps 139:1–6), of God’s presence in every part of the universe (Ps 139:7–12), and of God’s control over the psalmist’s very self (Ps 139:13–16). Summing up Ps 139:1–16, 17–18 express wonder. There is only one place hostile to God’s rule—wicked people. The psalmist prays to be removed from their company (Ps 139:19–24). (Psalms, PSALM 139 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew continues Jesus' denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees.

* [23:23] The Mosaic law ordered tithing of the produce of the land (Lv 27:30; Dt 14:22–23), and the scribal tradition is said here to have extended this law to even the smallest herbs. The practice is criticized not in itself but because it shows the Pharisees’ preoccupation with matters of less importance while they neglect the weightier things of the law.

* [23:24] Cf. Lv 11:41–45 that forbids the eating of any “swarming creature.” The Pharisees’ scrupulosity about minor matters and neglect of greater ones (Mt 23:23) is further brought out by this contrast between straining liquids that might contain a tiny “swarming creature” and yet swallowing the camel. The latter was one of the unclean animals forbidden by the law (Lv 11:4), but it is hardly possible that the scribes and Pharisees are being denounced as guilty of so gross a violation of the food laws. To swallow the camel is only a hyperbolic way of speaking of their neglect of what is important.

* [23:25–26] The ritual washing of utensils for dining (cf. Mk 7:4) is turned into a metaphor illustrating a concern for appearances while inner purity is ignored. The scribes and Pharisees are compared to cups carefully washed on the outside but filthy within. Self-indulgence: the Greek word here translated means lack of self-control, whether in drinking or in sexual conduct. (Matthew, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche is tempted to sit with Jesus and judge the hypocrites. “Woe to me.” How easy it is to become a Pharisee, a hypocrite.

Even as I am writing this reflection and thinking of examples to discuss, I keep thinking of how others have failed or misjudged or applied justice instead of love. I am using my own judgment to spot the flaws in others. Woe to me indeed. 

I must remember to pray and look in the mirror. I love today’s Psalm 139, “… you know me, Lord.” Why lie to God while praying? Why not be honest? I lie to myself first. I rewrite my own history. I explain away my reasons. I lean on fictional intentions. It’s painful to be transparent. How much easier it is for me to walk away from shame, start new, somewhere else? I do not like being vulnerable, relying on the forgiveness of others. Maybe I should practice forgiving? Maybe I should recall the Bible is talking to me? Maybe I should be honest in my prayers and go to confession a little more often? Maybe I should use shame as a signal that it’s time to “clean the inside of the cup”? (Dyche, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Neglecting Weighty Matters of Love and Justice,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Not only among the Jews but among ourselves as well, we find people sinning in these ways. They are swallowing camels. People of this type frequently show off their religion even in the smallest of things. They are rightly called hypocrites for wanting to exploit their religiosity before men but being unwilling to undertake that very faith which God himself has justified. Therefore the imitators of the scribes and Pharisees must be dislodged and sent away from us, lest a woe touches us in the same way it touches them. The scribes could be described as those who valued nothing found in the Scriptures except its plain sense interpreted legalistically. Meanwhile they condemn those who look into the very depths of God himself. Mint and dill and cummin are only spices for food but are not themselves substantial food. What substantive food would mean in conversion would be that which is necessary for the justification of our souls - faith and love - unlike these legalisms, which are more like condiments and flavorings. It is as if a meal might be thought to consist more of condiments and flavorings than the food itself. The seriousness of judgment is neglected while great attention is given to minor matters. Spiritual exercises which in and of themselves are hardly justice are spoken of as justice and compassion and faith. It is lacking in justice to treat these small parts as the whole. When we do not offer to God the observance of all that is necessary for worship, we fail altogether." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 19-20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 23:23-26 comments that we can do something similar to these scribes and Pharisees. The choices we make about how we express our faith can demonstrate our reverence for the Lord. But we shouldn’t make every choice into a universal, hard-and-fast law that everyone should follow.

Let’s allow room for the people around us to be led by the Lord in how they respond to him. Let’s give them the gift of our patience and graciousness when their choices don’t match ours. Because if we’re holding other people up to our own yardstick, we’re missing the “weightier things of the law.” Which are? Choosing to trust God’s judgment instead of our own and showing his mercy and faithfulness to everyone around us (Matthew 23:23). That’s the heart of the gospel!

“Jesus, help me to keep you at the center of all the little ways I express my faith!” (Meditation on Matthew 23:23-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that  Paul speaks about Thessalonika after being beaten in Phillippi. Paul defends himself that their motives were not impure. Paul gives his message initially in synagogue and then in the market and Paul did not seek payment but cared as a nursing mother. He loves them with Mothers and Fathers love. Friar Jude looks at a possible soccer game reaction from “father” and “mother”. We need the mix of mothers and fathers love. The idea is that we need a mix of approaches to be balanced. The Gospel of Matthew continues denunciation of scribes and Pharisees who do silly things and ignore the important things. Friar Jude notes Jesus is using Jewish exaggeration to look inside for blunder and self indulgence, teaching that good or bad comes from the heart.

Fr. Richard Rohr introduces Sikh activist and author Valarie Kaur who recalls an experience of a childhood friendship ending because of a difference in faith. Kaur visits a church where she can confront a Christian about the belief in a God who discriminates against people of other faiths. There, she meets a church organist and recalls saying…

“I just can’t believe that there could be a God who would send me to hell,” I said. There was a pause as she looked at me. I was ready to fight.  

“I can’t either,” she said. She saw my shock and explained. “I think that there are many paths. It just doesn’t make sense otherwise….” Her name was Faye and she was the first Christian I had ever met who did not believe I was going to hell. I would go on to meet many more people like her and learn that there are many ways to be Christian, just as there are many ways to be Sikh. Our traditions are like treasure chests filled with scriptures, songs, and stories—some empower us to cast judgment and others shimmer with the call to love above all…. 

Fifteen years after I thought our friendship was over, Lisa would reach out with an apology. She would still be Christian and I would still be Sikh, but she would have long abandoned the particular theology that had tried to sever us from one another. She had gone on her own journey … and had eventually come back to our friendship. In the end, we learned that love was the way, the truth, and the life. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We recall our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader and invoke the Spirit to guide us in the Way, Truth, and Life that celebrates all Creation as witness to God.

References

Dyche, G. (2025, August 26). Daily Reflection August 26, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-26-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/23?23 

Meditation on Matthew 23:23-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/?utm_content=buffer5c902&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/2?1 

Psalms, PSALM 139 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/139?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/overcoming-an-exclusionary-faith/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Not Neglect Justice, Mercy and Faith. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug26 

Mary Magdalene Apostle of Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to pursue love as the foundation of finding our Way

The Way of Love

The Reading from the Song of Songs describes Loss and Discovery.

* [3:1–5] See the parallel in 5:2–8.

* [3:2] The motif of seeking/finding here and elsewhere is used by later Christian and Jewish mystics to speak of the soul’s search for the divine.

* [3:4] Whom my soul loves: the fourfold repetition of this phrase in vv. 1–4 highlights the depth of the woman’s emotion and desire. Mother’s house: cf. 8:2; a place of safety and intimacy, one which implicitly signifies approval of the lovers’ relationship. (Song of Songs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians celebrates The Ministry of Reconciliation

* [5:14–15] These verses echo 2 Cor 4:14 and resume the treatment of “life despite death” from 2 Cor 4:7–5:10.

* [5:16–17] Consequently: the death of Christ described in 2 Cor 5:14–15 produces a whole new order (2 Cor 5:17) and a new mode of perception (2 Cor 5:16). According to the flesh: the natural mode of perception, characterized as “fleshly,” is replaced by a mode of perception proper to the Spirit. Elsewhere Paul contrasts what Christ looks like according to the old criteria (weakness, powerlessness, folly, death) and according to the new (wisdom, power, life); cf. 2 Cor 5:15, 21; 1 Cor 1:17–3:3. Similarly, he describes the paradoxical nature of Christian existence, e.g., in 2 Cor 4:10–11, 14. A new creation: rabbis used this expression to describe the effect of the entrance of a proselyte or convert into Judaism or of the remission of sins on the Day of Atonement. The new order created in Christ is the new covenant (2 Cor 3:6). (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 63 is based on a close relationship with God.

* [Psalm 63] A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. Separated from God (Ps 63:2), the psalmist longs for the divine life given in the Temple (Ps 63:3–6), which is based on a close relationship with God (Ps 63:7–9). May all my enemies be destroyed and God’s true worshipers continue in giving praise (Ps 63:10–11)! (Psalms, PSALM 63 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John  proclaims the Appearance of Jesus to Mary of Magdala.

* [20:11–18] This appearance to Mary is found only in John, but cf. Mt 28:8–10 and Mk 16:9–11.

* [20:16] Rabbouni: Hebrew or Aramaic for “my master.”

* [20:17] Stop holding on to me: see Mt 28:9, where the women take hold of his feet. I have not yet ascended: for John and many of the New Testament writers, the ascension in the theological sense of going to the Father to be glorified took place with the resurrection as one action. This scene in John dramatizes such an understanding, for by Easter night Jesus is glorified and can give the Spirit. Therefore his ascension takes place immediately after he has talked to Mary. In such a view, the ascension after forty days described in Acts 1:1–11 would be simply a termination of earthly appearances or, perhaps better, an introduction to the conferral of the Spirit upon the early church, modeled on Elisha’s being able to have a (double) share in the spirit of Elijah if he saw him being taken up (same verb as ascending) into heaven (2 Kgs 2:9–12). To my Father and your Father, to my God and your God: this echoes Ru 1:16: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” The Father of Jesus will now become the Father of the disciples because, once ascended, Jesus can give them the Spirit that comes from the Father and they can be reborn as God’s children (Jn 3:5). That is why he calls them my brothers. (John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner comments that what Mary Magdalene does is to carry out what Jesus asks her to do: Go and tell the apostles what she has seen and heard. She does that. She is often called the apostle to the apostles. She has been mistakenly portrayed in the past as a prostitute, but that is not how the church sees her today.

She was a devoted follower of Jesus, and her story can offer a lesson to all of us. Many times people mistake our intentions, our identity. We might be painted in an unfavorable light, based on what we have done or how people have perceived what we have done. While I always want to own up to my mistakes and my sins, I can’t always change how people view me or my actions. What can I do? I can keep searching for Jesus, as Mary Magdalene did. I can be brave even when I am afraid or sad or confused as she likely was at the death of Jesus. I can strive to live a life of that brings me closer to God, a life of faith and doing the right thing, even in the face of misconceptions, fear or sadness. We can celebrate her life of faith, devotion and witness. 

My prayer today is to celebrate and honor Mary Magdalene and to ask God to help me not be so judgmental of others. Let me find God in all things. (Zuegher, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “The love of Christ enflamed her,” by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD)

"Mary Magdalene, who had been a sinner in the city (Luke 7:37), loved the Truth and so washed away with her tears the stains of wickedness (Luke 7:47). Her sins had kept her cold, but afterward she burned with an irresistible love... We must consider this woman's state of mind whose great force of love inflamed her. When even the disciples departed from the sepulcher, she did not depart. She looked for him whom she had not found... But it is not enough for a lover to have looked once, because the force of love intensifies the effort of the search. She looked for him a first time and found nothing. She persevered in seeking, and that is why she found him. As her unfulfilled desires increased, they took possession of what they found (Song of Songs 3:1-4)... Holy desires, as I have told you before, increase by delay in their fulfillment. If delay causes them to fail, they were not desires... This was Mary's kind of love as she turned a second time to the sepulcher she had already looked into. Let us see the result of her search, which had been redoubled by the power of love." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 25) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on the Song of Songs 3:1-4 comments that Mary Magdalene was one of the few disciples who risked her own safety by standing by Jesus on Calvary. And she was rewarded by becoming the first witness to his resurrection and the “Apostle to the Apostles.”

If Mary Magdalene were with us today, she would tell us to keep seeking Jesus with all our hearts, just as she did. She would tell us about the joy she felt when, having sought him so faithfully, she found him—and having found him, she found salvation.

“Lord, I will seek you all the days of my life!” (Meditation on the Song of Songs, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the Song of Songs description of a lover going into the city looking for her lover. Mary represents the Church looking for her lover, Jesus. The Second Letter to the Corinthians proclaims Jesus died and makes everyone a new creation. We have died and are risen with Christ. Mary goes early to the tomb representing the Church, in John, as the Apostle to the Apostles. Two angels are added to Mary to give witness. This is one incident where Jesus is not recognized after the Resurrection. Friar Jude notes Jesus is the same but changed and Mary recognizes the voice calling her. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Valarie Kaur who describes how the Sikh faith teaches the difference between rage stirred from personal frustration and rage that fights against injustice.

Even the hardest, potentially most shameful parts of ourselves have the potential to give us insight for healing, growth, and transformation. The more we are able to build our capacity to love all parts of ourselves, the deeper our capacity to love all parts of the world around us, the beloved within and without. That is the shift in consciousness and culture that I believe we desperately need in order to birth a new world, a way of seeing, a way of being that leaves no one outside of our circle of care. What we need is a revolution of the heart. This is why I believe revolutionary love is the call of our times. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the consolation of the Spirit as we experience the closeness and separation that is part of love of God and the people on our journey.

References

John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20?1 

Meditation on the Song of Songs. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/?utm_content=buffer5c902&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

Psalms, PSALM 63 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/63?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Healing Rage. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2025/07/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul22a 

Song of Songs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/songofsongs/3?1 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5?14 

Zuegher, C. (2025, July 22). Daily Reflection July 22, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-22-2025