Thursday - 28^th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke 11:47-54

Once Is Not Enough

Chapel of Tears, Jerusalem

 

I admit it!  When I was little, I had to be told multiple times before I finally got my jobs done.  Cut the grass!  Clean your room!  Brush your teeth!  Do your homework!  It took me a number of ‘reminders’ before it finally sunk in and I got around to finishing my chores.  Once was not enough.

I don’t think I realized, until these past couple of days, how extended of a discourse Jesus had with the Pharisees. It was not just a one shot and done.  He went on and on at length, repeating what hypocrites they were and chastising them because their actions were at such odds with their teachings.  He condemns them for demanding strict observance of the Law from the people but they themselves flaunt the Law in their own lives.  Time and time again His harsh language calls them out as hypocrites.  Once was certainly not enough!

This is a reminder to us all that we are called to a Christian life, not merely in our words but in our actions.  One must reflect the other; otherwise we too are hypocrites!

As part of my ordination as a Permanent Deacon, there was a point where the Bishop handed me a Book of the Gospels and he then spoke these words:

 "Receive the Book of the Gospel whose herald you have become. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach."

Food for thought (and action) for all of us!