August 26, 2026
Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Today is Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time. Today, the passage from the Gospel of Matthew continues to present to us Jesus’ condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and evildoing.” (Cf. Matthew 23:27-28)

Some people, even before they die, have already purchased their tombs and spent a great deal of money decorating them, so that they may be buried in splendor after death. In their eyes, the tomb is their eternal dwelling place. Today, the scribes and Pharisees, those hypocrites rebuked by Jesus, hold the same mindset. They are always concerned with making their outward appearance fresh and splendid, while their hearts are full of every kind of filth.

Today, in our parishes and within our Christian communities, there are also such brothers and sisters. On the surface, they appear to be devout Christians. They are enthusiastic about the Church’s mission of evangelization and fervent in their worship of God. However, their hearts have not been transformed, because what they pursue is still the fame and profit of this world, rather than the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of the children of God. Therefore, they do not belong to Christ. For those who belong to Christ constantly follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit; they trust in the Holy Spirit and rely on His assistance. The gentle Holy Spirit, like a soft breeze, blows away all kinds of filth from our hearts and fills our innermost being with God’s grace. If we, like those who belong to Christ, sincerely welcome the Holy Spirit, He will thoroughly remove all hypocrisy and evildoing from our hearts and fill us with His Spirit. If we are filled with His Spirit, we will no longer seek empty vainglory.

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica