Help over Hypocrisy

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, invite us to contemplate the hypocrisy we may witness and counter it with a commitment to act with love and compassion in our journey.

Housing and Hypocrisy

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a powerful indictment of religious hypocrisy.

* [1:10–17] A powerful indictment of the religious hypocrisy of rulers and others who neglect just judgment and oppress the weaker members, yet believe they can please God with sacrifices and other external forms of worship. The long list of observances suggests the Lord’s tedium with such attempts. Sodom…Gomorrah: the names are picked up from v. 9, but now to emphasize their wickedness rather than the good fortune of escaping total destruction.

* [1:15–16] Hands…blood: oppression of the poor is likened to violence that bloodies the hands, which explains why the hands spread out in prayer (v. 15) are not regarded by the Lord. This climax of the accusations is followed by positive admonitions for reversing the evil situation. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 50 proclaims the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience.

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalm 50, PSALMS | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Jesus as A Cause of Division and presents Conditions of Discipleship and Rewards.

* [10:38] The first mention of the cross in Matthew, explicitly that of the disciple, but implicitly that of Jesus (and follow after me). Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment used by the Romans for offenders who were not Roman citizens.

* [10:39] One who denies Jesus in order to save one’s earthly life will be condemned to everlasting destruction; loss of earthly life for Jesus’ sake will be rewarded by everlasting life in the kingdom.

* [10:40–42] All who receive the disciples of Jesus receive him, and God who sent him, and will be rewarded accordingly.

* [10:41] A prophet: one who speaks in the name of God; here, the Christian prophets who proclaim the gospel. Righteous man: since righteousness is demanded of all the disciples, it is difficult to take the righteous man of this verse and one of these little ones (Mt 10:42) as indicating different groups within the followers of Jesus. Probably all three designations are used here of Christian missionaries as such. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that justice, in Isaiah, is associated with learning to do good, setting right a wrong, and defending those without power. Yet, there are those who find passages in the Old Testament they cite to associate justice with violence and vengeance. Which approach glorifies God?

Beginning with Isaiah, God clearly calls us to do more than just recite statutes and profess the covenant. In the Psalm, God calls us to live our faith as praise to God. And living a life in the way of the Lord means living a life of receiving increasingly clear insights. It can also often mean living a life of persecution and conflict. But Jesus tells us that sacrificing our life for his sake will enable us to find it. To me, this means that following Jesus is the way to live a life in which justice is not only our aim, but also as a form of praise that glorifies God. Jesus shows us how to love each other, to defend the powerless, and to right wrongs without violence or revenge. My prayer today is that we will all make justice our aim as praise to God. I also pray we will open our hearts and minds to insights into how to bring about justice in God’s world. (Dilly, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “How peace requires a sword,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"What sort of peace is it that Jesus asks them to pronounce upon entering each house? And what kind of peace is it of which the angels sing, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace'? And if Jesus came not to bring peace, why did all the prophets publish peace as good news? Because this more than anything is peace: when the disease is removed. This is peace: when the cancer is cut away. Only with such radical surgery is it possible for heaven to be reunited to earth. Only in this way does the physician preserve the healthy tissue of the body. The incurable part must be amputated. Only in this way does the military commander preserve the peace: by cutting off those in rebellion. Thus it was also in the case of the tower of Babel, that their evil peace was ended by their good discord. Peace therefore was accomplished. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 35.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the passage from Isaiah, the prophet speaks and condemns them not for sacrifices but that in spite of sacrifice to God, they are exploiting the people around them. Our faith has both vertical and horizontal dimensions: love of God and love of our neighbour. We all called to defend the widow and protect the orphan as representatives of the most powerless in our society. Worship has to be balanced with care of those in need. Jesus speaks about persecution, even from our families. The division that Jesus brings is not a rational for violence but when we live in peace and kindness we will be ostracized. Even if we cannot personally evangelize, we can assist those who do. Friar Jude comments that we can proclaim the Kingdom in our support.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:34–11:1 comments that relational difficulties, even the loss of relationships altogether, are among the troubles that most of us will likely encounter—or have already encountered—when we choose to pursue a life of discipleship.

So ask Jesus for the grace to share his love with the people in your life. He’ll help you to be patient and understanding. He’ll help you to be humble and kind in the midst of flawed relationships. And he’ll help you to have faith that he is powerful enough to work even when the conditions seem imperfect. Some of these relationships will still have cracks, but seeds of love may still fall into those cracks and take root. Take courage! His love has conquered the world!

“Lord, in a divided world, help me share your love and trust your power.” (Meditation on Matthew 10:34–11:1, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that more than a description of something God does now and then, mercy is who God is.

According to Jesus, “Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). The word mercy is hesed in Hebrew: “the steadfast, enduring love which is unbreakable.” Sometimes the word is translated as “lovingkindness” or “covenant love.” God has made a covenant with creation and will never break the divine side of the covenant. It’s only broken from our side. God’s love is steadfast. It is written in the divine image within us. We are the ones who instead clutch at our sins and punish ourselves instead of surrendering to the divine mercy. The refusal to be forgiven is a form of pride. It is saying, “I’m better than mercy. I’m only going to accept it when I’m worthy and can preserve my so-called self-esteem.” Only the humble person can live in and after mercy. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

Clarence Jordan (1912–1969), an activist for racial and economic justice, considers the economic outcome of being immersed in God’s mercy:

By “the merciful” he means those who have an attitude of such compassion toward all [people] that they want to share gladly all that they have with one another and with the world…. To them, [people] are no longer beggars to whom one gives a part, but brothers [and sisters] with whom one shares all. This concept of charity, or mercy, led some of the early Christians to a state of voluntary poverty in which “All the believers were together and held all things in common” (Acts 2:44). [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Wisdom and Consolation of the Spirit as we struggle with opposition to Jesus' Way that we may see as a selection of rules and restrictions that resonate with human objectives rather than the universal love of God.

References

Dilly, B. (2026, July 13). Daily Reflection July 13, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-13-2026 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/1? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10 

Meditation on Matthew 10:34–11:1. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/13/1617025/ 

Psalm 50, PSALMS | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?8 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). God’s Mercy Endures Forever. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?8 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Not Come to Bring Peace, but a Sword. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Division and Disciples

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that we are likely to encounter division and denial as we journey as followers of Jesus Way.

Divided in Direction

The reading from the Book of Exodus sets the stage for the oppression of the Hebrew people in Egypt.

* [1:8] Who knew nothing of Joseph: the nuance intended by the Hebrew verb “know” here goes beyond precise determination. The idea may be not simply that a new king came to power who had not heard of Joseph but that this king ignored the services that Joseph had rendered to Egypt, repudiating the special relationship that existed between Joseph and his predecessor on the throne.

* [1:10] Increase: Pharaoh’s actions thereby immediately pit him against God’s will for the Israelites to multiply; see note on v. 7 above.

* [1:11] Pharaoh: not a personal name, but a title common to all the kings of Egypt.

* [1:14] Mortar: either the wet clay with which the bricks were made, as in Na 3:14, or the cement used between the bricks in building, as in Gn 11:3. (Exodus, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 124 is a thanksgiving to God.

* [Psalm 124] A thanksgiving which teaches that Israel’s very existence is owed to God who rescues them. In the first part Israel’s enemies are compared to the mythic sea dragon (Ps 124:2b–3a; cf. Jer 51:34) and Flood (Ps 124:3b–5; cf. Is 51:9–10). The Psalm heightens the malice of human enemies by linking them to the primordial enemies of God’s creation. Israel is a bird freed from the trapper’s snare (Ps 124:6–8)—freed originally from Pharaoh and now from the current danger.

* [124:8] Our help is in the name: for the idiom, see Ex 18:4. (Psalms, PSALM 124 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares a Cause of Division, the Conditions of Discipleship and Rewards destined to those who offer support.

* [10:32–33] In the Q parallel (Lk 12:8–9), the Son of Man will acknowledge those who have acknowledged Jesus, and those who deny him will be denied (by the Son of Man) before the angels of God at the judgment. Here Jesus and the Son of Man are identified, and the acknowledgment or denial will be before his heavenly Father.

* [10:38] The first mention of the cross in Matthew, explicitly that of the disciple, but implicitly that of Jesus (and follow after me). Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment used by the Romans for offenders who were not Roman citizens.

* [10:39] One who denies Jesus in order to save one’s earthly life will be condemned to everlasting destruction; loss of earthly life for Jesus’ sake will be rewarded by everlasting life in the kingdom.

* [10:40–42] All who receive the disciples of Jesus receive him, and God who sent him, and will be rewarded accordingly.

* [10:41] A prophet: one who speaks in the name of God; here, the Christian prophets who proclaim the gospel. Righteous man: since righteousness is demanded of all the disciples, it is difficult to take the righteous man of this verse and one of these little ones (Mt 10:42) as indicating different groups within the followers of Jesus. Probably all three designations are used here of Christian missionaries as such. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth is grateful to share pews with inspiring people and grateful for a program that strengthened her already strong sense of community. How rewarding to learn that retired nurses and teachers can exemplify today’s gospel along with martyrs and heroes.

Incidentally, St. John’s used the “synodality model” to frame these discussions. In this model, all participants must  speak about themselves,  listen to everyone else then share their reactions to what others have said. Even people who normally would never discuss their prayer life or something as pretentious as their life mission opened up because the format required them to do so. (Wirth, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “How peace requires a sword,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"What sort of peace is it that Jesus asks them to pronounce upon entering each house? And what kind of peace is it of which the angels sing, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace'? And if Jesus came not to bring peace, why did all the prophets publish peace as good news? Because this more than anything is peace: when the disease is removed. This is peace: when the cancer is cut away. Only with such radical surgery is it possible for heaven to be reunited to earth. Only in this way does the physician preserve the healthy tissue of the body. The incurable part must be amputated. Only in this way does the military commander preserve the peace: by cutting off those in rebellion. Thus it was also in the case of the tower of Babel, that their evil peace was ended by their good discord. Peace therefore was accomplished. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 35.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:34–11:1 comments that every day we face a myriad of opportunities to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Some days these crosses might seem small and insignificant. But the more we “lose” our lives for others, the more we will “find” Jesus. And finding him more, we’ll be filled with more of his self-giving love, and we’ll become more like him. Then we will be able to joyfully embrace the unavoidable crosses that will come our way.

This is how Jesus invites you to follow him. He is the way and the reward! Ask him for the grace to offer yourself for others today, just as he so willingly offered himself for you!

“Jesus, I want to follow you. Help me to take up my cross!” (Meditation on Matthew 10:34–11:1, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Exodus 1 is the beginning of the story of Moses. The Pharaoh is never named, to show powerlessness, and orders the murder of the male children. This may follow fear of a second Semitic takeover of Egypt? The second great discourse in Matthew, of Five, like the Pentateuch, proclaims a new Law for a New Israel that will result in Division. Christians will be opposed and have to take up their cross and die for Him. If anyone is kind that person would receive a reward. Friar Jude often thinks of St. Therese of Lisieux who never entered a mission land but is the model of our call to foster mission in others.

Richard Rohr describes periods of darkness, confusion, and struggle as necessary for our transformation and growth. There’s a darkness where we are led by our own stupidity, our own sin (the illusion of separation), our own selfishness, by living out of the false or separate self. We have to work our way back out of this kind of darkness with brutal honesty, confession, surrender, forgiveness, apology, and restitution. It may feel simultaneously like dying and being liberated.

Of course, the dark night we get ourselves into by our own “sinful” choices can also become the darkness of God. Regardless of the cause, the dark night is an opportunity to look for and find God—in new forms and ways. Neither God nor goodness exist only in the light but permeate all places, seen and unseen. It seems we have to “unknow” a bit every time we want to know in a new way. It’s like putting your car in reverse in the mud and snow so that you can gain a new track and better traction.  

Periods of seemingly fruitless darkness may in fact highlight all the ways we rob ourselves of wisdom by clinging to the light. Who grows by only looking on the bright side of things? It is only when we lose our certainties that we will be able to deconstruct our false images of God to discover the Absolute Reality beneath all our egoic fantasies and fears. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the paradox of the division we encounter as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit to live the example of the Prince of Peace in our relationship with the people in our environment.

References

Exodus, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/1?8 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?34 

Meditation on Matthew 10:34–11:1. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/07/14/1331837/ 

Psalms, PSALM 124 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/124?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/two-sides-of-darkness/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Not Come to Bring Peace, but a Sword. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul14 

Wirth, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection July 14. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved July 14, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-14-2025 

Sacrifice and Reward

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today identify the nature of the sacrifice we are called to accept as the Spirit leads us to transformation of our environment.

Sacrifice and Transformation

The reading from the Book of Sirach shares the Law and Sacrifices.

* [35:1–26] Keeping the commandments of the law and avoiding injustice constitute sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (vv. 1–5). Offerings also should be made to him, cheerfully and generously; these he repays sevenfold (vv. 6–13). Extortion from widows and orphans is injustice, and God will hear their cries (vv. 14–22a). Punishing the proud and the merciless and coming to the aid of the distressed, he requites everyone according to their deeds (vv. 22b–26).

* [35:3] Fine flour, together with oil and frankincense, was a prescribed offering to God; cf. Lv 2:1–3.

* [35:16] Cf. Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17. The divine impartiality is paradoxical, for it is tilted toward the poor. (Sirach, CHAPTER 35, n.d.)

Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark declares that from the goodness of God, we receive a hundredfold.

* [10:23–27] In the Old Testament wealth and material goods are considered a sign of God’s favor (Jb 1:10; Ps 128:1–2; Is 3:10). The words of Jesus in Mk 10:23–25 provoke astonishment among the disciples because of their apparent contradiction of the Old Testament concept (Mk 10:24, 26). Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift (Mk 10:27). (Mark, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available, today, at time of publication.

Don Schwager quotes “The spiritual sense of leaving the family,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"Do not let this passage trouble you. Put it side by side with the still harder saying Jesus delivered in another place in the words, 'Whoever hates not father, and mother, and children, and his own life besides, cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:26). Note that the God of peace, who exhorts us to love our enemies, does not arbitrarily require us literally to hate or abandon those dearest to us. But if we are to love our enemies, it must be in accordance with right reason that, by analogy we should also love our nearest relatives... But insofar as one's father, or son, or brother, becomes for you a hindrance to faith or an impediment to godly life, one should then not collude with that temptation. Attend to the spiritual, rather than the fleshly, meaning of the command." (excerpt from SALVATION OF THE RICH MAN 22.13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12 comments that our reward probably won’t be a material reward like a pay raise or a new car. That’s not what God’s love looks like. He isn’t a God of transactions and spreadsheets. The Lord always repays. Sevenfold. That’s quite a promise!

There’s no doubt that life can be hard, and being cheerful can be even harder. Jesus knows this even better than we do. So when he promises to reward your efforts, you can believe him. It’s worth the effort. He is worth the effort!

“Lord, help me to face each situation with a joyful, cheerful heart.” (Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the discovery of a Hebrew copy of Sirach that corrected the understanding that it had only been written in Greek in the late 2nd Century BCE. When we go to Church we celebrate righteousness now and in the future. Friar Jude notes that this is not a passage of the Gospel of Prosperity but an affirmation of the joy and meaning of a life that shares in the Cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, points to the witness of the prophets to demonstrate how the Holy Spirit works within to wake us up to who we are.

Until an objective inner witness (the Holy Spirit; see Romans 8:16) emerges that looks back at us with utter honesty, we cannot speak of being awake or conscious. That is at the heart of what we mean by “waking up.” Until then, most of us are on cruise control and cannot see our egocentricity at work.  

Unfortunately, people so fear a negative and judgmental critic that they never seem to access the “Compassionate Witness” promised us in the gift of the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16–26). How wonderful that John calls the Holy Spirit parakletos (Greek for “defense attorney”). It is painful but necessary to be critical of your own system, whatever it is. But do know it will never make you popular. [1] (Rohr, 2023)

Theologian Grace Ji Sun-Kim describes how the Holy Spirit seeks transformation for all.

Christ is portrayed as a “life-giving Spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). The believer has a responsibility to live her life in the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:4–6, 14). This responsibility should not be taken lightly, as one should not ignore the depth of the Spirit’s power. Walking in the power of the Spirit is life-changing, as the Spirit becomes an agent through which transformations can occur. [2] (Rohr, 2023)

We are called to a life of meaning and joy as workers with Christ, guided by the Spirit, to renew the face of the earth.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10? 

Meditation on Sirach 35:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/30/694432/ 

Psalms, PSALM 50. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?5  

Rohr, R. (2023, May 30). Waking up Our Conscience — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/waking-up-our-conscience-2023-05-30/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). We Have Left Everything and Followed You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may30 

Sirach, CHAPTER 35. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/35?1