“You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside,
but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.”

Matthew 23:27

Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection

Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisees that they are hypocrites and full of evildoing. They build the tombs of prophets and yet say they would not have killed the prophets as their ancestors did. They are like tombs, which appear clean on the outside but inside are full of filth and bones.

The Pharisees and scribes are once more called out because they are appearing to be holier than they truly are. They strive to maintain appearances of sanctity, but interiorly, are quite far from holiness. Jesus rightly rebukes them for their ways. Are we similar to the Pharisees in this – pretending to be holy and righteous on the outside for the sake of looking like a good Christian, but in private ignoring Christ and his commands?

It may seem hard to do this, but often, we might tell others how to live and appear to be good examples, but then not practice what we preach. Christ rightly calls us out, by tugging on our souls and consciences, leading us to repentance and repugnance of our sins. We should always strive to grow in virtue and holiness interiorly first, for it will soon shine through exteriorly to others. Examine your interior spiritual life today – where can you improve?

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Saint of the Day

St. Joseph Calasanz: 1556 – 1648

“All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest of patience, and, most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal.” St. Joseph Calasanz