Be True To The Message Of Eternal Life
Readings: 1st: Mal 1, 14-2, 2-10; Ps 130 2nd: 1Thess 2, 7-13, 5-11; Gos: Matt 23, 1-12
This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He was the chancellor of the Diocese of Fajardo Humacao, Puerto Rico. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com
(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)
Today, the church urges us to hold firm to the message of eternal life. This is what safeguards our faith, especially in these perilous times. God will continue to strengthen us in our daily struggles through the message of eternal life.
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In our first reading today, through prophet Malachi, God warns us (especially priests) about the dangers of straying from the right part. He warns us of the danger of misleading and oppressing others in His name: “And now priests, this is a warning for you…you have strayed from the way, and you have caused many to stumble by your teaching, you have destroyed the covenant of Levi.”
While it is important to note that this message is meant as it were for “priests” and all “pastors of souls,” God is equally speaking to each Christian. The reason is quite simple. We are all expected to live good lives to the glory of God. Therefore, it is a call to live justly. Most importantly, it is a call to glorify God through our various calls.
In the second reading, with gratitude, Paul recounts how they faithfully transmitted the good news to the church of Thessalonica. They did it with total devotion and dedication: “We felt so devoted towards you. We were eager to hand you the good news, but our whole lives while we were bringing the good news to you.”
Unlike the priests God warned through the prophet Malachi in our first reading, Paul and his companions were faithful pastors. They are role models for all of us pastors of souls. Rather than mislead or exploit the people, they dedicated their entire lives to preaching the message of eternal life in both words and actions.
Their efforts did not go in vain because God confirmed their message. They preached and lived the message of eternal life, bringing it with faith, sincerity, and honesty. So, it was also received with honor and reverence.
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Hence, the Thessalonians did not take the message for granted. Instead, they accepted it with an open heart and mind: “As soon as you heard the message we brought, you accepted it as God’s message and not something human.” So, this was a cause of joy for Paul and his companions. This is what happens when we faithfully discharge our duties as pastors of souls. We see God’s people flourish like the tree planted by the riverside. God blesses us and makes us joyful through this.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They represent all the bad pastors of souls, all the “men, and women of God” of our time, who occupy exalted positions but show bad examples. They are eloquent and tall in their preaching but dwarfed in their actions. They twist the message of eternal life for their gain. Thus, they lead many astray. When we live this way, we act like the Pharisees.
Today, Jesus denounces religious show-offs and bigotry, which is opposed to the message of eternal life. However, His message about calling anyone “Rabbi” or “Father” must not be misunderstood. One must be faithful to his calling and duty and not occupy a position just for the pride of being called father, sister, pastor, evangelist, minister, and etcetera
So, what Jesus is denouncing here is earthly pride. He wants us to be faithful to our Christian calling. It must not make us proud and arrogant. Also, He wants us to be true to the message of eternal life. It must rule our lives and not be employed to exploit, oppress, or mislead others. Instead, it must bring them peace and joy while glorifying God.
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha!