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    8.26.24 Homily

    enAugust 28, 2024
    What critique did Jesus have for scribes and Pharisees?
    How did the Pharisees prioritize legalism over spirituality?
    What changes did John Paul I bring to the papacy?
    Why is inner purity emphasized over external actions?
    What lessons can we learn from the Pharisees' mistakes?

    Podcast Summary

    • Authentic spirituality vs. hypocrisyJesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for neglecting inner spiritual dimension and prioritizing rules and appearances. Focus on inner transformation and authenticity in spiritual life.

      Learning from today's readings is the importance of authentic spirituality and avoiding hypocrisy. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their external adherence to the law, while neglecting the inner spiritual dimension. They prioritize rules and appearances over genuine connection with God and others. Jesus emphasizes the significance of inner purity and sincerity, as opposed to external actions. He uses strong language to criticize their behavior, warning them of the consequences of their hypocrisy. He highlights the importance of understanding the true meaning and significance of religious practices, rather than just going through the motions. This message is particularly relevant as we begin a new year and reflect on our spiritual growth. We can learn from the mistakes of the scribes and Pharisees and strive for authenticity in our own spiritual lives. We should focus on inner transformation, rather than just external appearances, and remember that our actions should be guided by love and compassion for others. Furthermore, we can also learn from the positive aspects of the readings, which emphasize the importance of the kingdom of God and the value of spiritual growth. By studying both the praised and castigated commentaries on spiritual life, we can gain a deeper understanding of the path we should take in our own spiritual journeys.

    • Pharisees and Scribes HypocrisyThe Pharisees and Scribes, during Jesus' time, were criticized for their hypocrisy, prioritizing man-made rules over spiritual connection to God, leading to a focus on regulations rather than growth.

      During Jesus' time, the religious leaders known as the Pharisees and scribes were criticized for their hypocrisy. They were called actors because they appeared pious on the outside but lived differently inside. This behavior was a response to the Jews returning from exile, who recognized their unfaithfulness to God and sought to prevent future infractions through man-made rules. These rules, found in the Talmud, became more important than God's law itself, leading to a focus on regulations rather than spiritual growth. The scribes, who dedicated their lives to studying the Old Testament, added volumes of regulations to ensure adherence. These rules, while well-intentioned, eventually overshadowed the original intent of God's law. Jesus' criticisms of the Pharisees and scribes stemmed from their prioritization of rules over the spiritual connection to God.

    • Pharisees' legalismThe Pharisees' rigid adherence to man-made rules contradicted the original intent of religious laws, prioritizing them over God's law of love, leading to a focus on legalism and making it harder for people to find God.

      The Pharisees, in their efforts to be maximally faithful to the dietary and other religious laws given by the scribes, created a rigid system of rules that often contradicted the original intent of the laws. They prioritized these man-made rules over the law of God, which was about loving God and loving neighbor. This led to a focus on legalism rather than spiritual growth, and they even made it harder for people to find God by imposing their rules on others. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for this in the gospels, giving three woes: they locked the kingdom of heaven, formed people in their own neuroses, and were liars. This shows the importance of focusing on the spirit of the law rather than just the letter of the law, and the danger of creating unnecessary barriers to faith.

    • Religious hypocrisyJesus criticized religious leaders for deceit and manipulation, Christians should focus on genuine love and example, and avoid hypocrisy and prioritizing own interests over God's.

      Hypocrisy and deceit in religion are contrary to God's will. In the Bible, Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His time for their duplicitous oaths and manipulations, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity. Christians must avoid falling into this trap and instead focus on bringing others to God through genuine love and example, rather than trying to manipulate or deceive them. The first Christians in Thessalonica served as an example of living with integrity and mutual charity, and their faith and love for one another continued to flourish. We must strive for the same authenticity in our own faith journey and avoid the temptation to play God or prioritize our own interests over God's.

    • Enduring faith and perseveranceChoosing to embrace the challenging journey of faith, mutual charity, and endurance demonstrates our worthiness to enter the kingdom of God and inspires others

      Enduring faith and perseverance in the face of persecution and afflictions demonstrate our worthiness to enter the kingdom of God. The early Christian community, including the Thessalonians, showed this incredible example, not only securing their own entry but also inspiring others. Saint Paul prayed for their continued growth and faithfulness, desiring that they would bring glory to Jesus and God. The path we choose this year matters – we can either go through the motions or embrace the challenging journey of faith, mutual charity, and endurance. Blessed John Paul I, whom we celebrate, is an inspiring example of someone who chose the latter. His life serves as a reminder that true holiness and the glorification of God come from our response to adversity and our commitment to our vocation.

    • Papal Role ShiftJohn Paul I's warm, approachable, and engaging demeanor during his papacy marked a significant shift in how the Pope was perceived by the public, making the role more relatable and approachable.

      The unexpected election of Pope John Paul I in 1978 brought a significant shift in the role of the Pope as a public figure. Prior to his election, Popes like Paul VI were seen as serious and distant figures who rarely interacted with the public. However, John Paul I, also known as Albino Luciani, broke the mold by being warm, approachable, and engaging during his papacy. He brought humor and joy to the role, which was a departure from the formal and serious demeanor of his predecessors. During his Wednesday General Audiences, John Paul I would joke and interact with the crowds, even allowing children to come up and hug him. This was a first for papal audiences and won over the hearts of the people. He also made a playful comment about using the first person singular instead of the royal "we" to emphasize the shared teaching experience between him and the people. This shift in papal demeanor was a turning point in how the Pope was perceived by the public. It made the role of the Pope more relatable and approachable, and it set a precedent for future Popes to engage more directly with their followers. John Paul I's unexpected and joyful approach to his role as Pope brought a renewed sense of excitement and connection to the faith for many people.

    • Benedict XVI's Emphasis on HolinessPope Benedict XVI emphasized the call to holiness, following Jesus' example, and seeking inspiration from saints throughout his life and papacy, encouraging everyone to strive for a joyful journey towards the kingdom of God.

      Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI brought a unique blend of joy, humor, and holiness to the papacy. This wasn't a new development, but something he demonstrated throughout his life as a young priest, authoring a book called "Catechism in Crumbs," and as a cardinal, writing letters to historical figures in "Illustrissime and Me." In his speeches, such as at the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, he emphasized the call to holiness and the importance of following Jesus Christ's example to enter the kingdom of God. Benedict XVI also looked to the examples of saints as inspiration for his own life and service to the people. The overarching message is that we all have the privilege to strive for holiness and experience the joy of following Christ on the path to the kingdom. As St. Jose-Marie Escriva, who may have appeared serious in photos, demonstrated when distributing Holy Communion, the journey to worthiness of the kingdom and our vocations is filled with joy, made possible by God's call.

    • Experiencing joy in receiving Holy CommunionReceiving Holy Communion is not just a ritual, but an opportunity to experience immense joy and happiness in the flesh. Prepare with authentic joy and reverence.

      Receiving Holy Communion is not just a religious ritual, but an opportunity to experience joy and happiness in the flesh. The act of giving Holy Communion brings immense joy to the giver, and we should strive to receive it with the same level of joy and excitement. This is the way of the saints, not the scribes and Pharisees. When we prepare ourselves to receive Jesus with the biggest smile our heart can muster, we are taking the road to the kingdom. Let us not approach this sacred moment as an actor putting on a show, but with authentic joy and reverence. May we always remember that in the presence of Jesus, we are given the chance to experience true happiness and love.

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