PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

 *SUNDAY 5 November 2023* 



31st Sunday of the Year     

First Reading. Malachi 1: 14-2: 2, 8-10

PSALM 131

Second Reading. 1 Thessalonians 2: 7-9, 13

Gospel. Matthew 23: 1-12


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


 *PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH* 


Jesus is the fullness of Wisdom while the scribes and pharisees are the epitome of emptiness.


Jesus led by example, while the scribes and Pharisees imposed unbearable rules on people. 


In truth, Jesus' presence was a big threat to the scribes and Pharisees. 


My dear, always remember that 

*** Wisdom is a threat to foolishness

*** A wise person is a threat to a fool

*** An intelligent person is a threat to an unintelligent person 

*** The educated are a threat to the uneducated

*** Virtue is a threat to vice, just as good is a threat to evil.


The wise are filled with wisdom, while the fools are empty of wisdom.


The wise are filled with humility, while the fools are filled with pride.


The fools never lead by example, only the wise do.


Therefore, in life, the best way of teaching people is by precept. Teaching by example, and only the wise can do that.

No one can give what he or she does to have, you can only give what you have

If you are a person of virtue, you give out virtue, and if you are a person of vices, you give out vices.


The truth is that empty vessels that make the loudest noise are the ones who struggle for authority and power,  yet they lack the wisdom of administration. 


Jesus in today's Gospel said...

1. The scribes and the Pharisees preach but do not practice.

2. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they will not move them with their fingers.

3. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplaces being called rabbi by men.

4. You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 


Similarly, from the first reading, the book of Malachi said: Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?


More so, the Lord of Host asked...

Why have you turned aside from my way?

Why have you caused many to stumble by your instruction?

Why have you corrupted the covenant of Levi (Jesus)?

Fools, why do you pride yourself?


Note that the fools who give wrong instructions are the ones who impose on others what they can not do. Hence, they pride themselves with honourable names and sit in high positions of authority to oppress and suppress.


Finally, remember that 


5. Anyone who is greatest (leader) among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.


Let us learn to imitate St. Paul in today's second reading who preached with his life to the Thessalonians. He humbled himself, and God exalted him.


I will end today's reflection like that of yesterday with the same food for thought...


"If God should humble you, who will exalt you?"


 *Peace ✌️ be with you.* 


 *Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.* 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DO YOU KNOW WHY AND HOW JESUS OVERCAME HIS TEMPTATION?

Image
 Sunday, February 26, 2023. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (A) First Reading. Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7 Psalm. 51: 3-6, 12-14, and 17 (R. cf. 3a) Second Reading. Romans 5: 12- 19 Gospel. Matthew 4: 1-11 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  YOUR DESIRE IS YOUR TEMPTATION.  Do you know why JESUS did not fall into temptation? It is because...  1. He is divine and not of the flesh; remember, only flesh is tempted and not the Spirit.  2. He came from Heaven, and not from the earth.  3. He is in the world, but not of the world.  4. All that exists on earth was created THROUGH HIM, AND WITH HIM, AND IN HIM. So, how can what he creates tempt Him the creator? 5. He came to save and to teach us how to be saved, by extension, how to overcome temptation.  I will like to quickly remind us that all temptations in life fall under 3 categories. They are...  1. PLEASURE  2. POWER  3. POSSESSION.  Jesus was tempted by these 3 categories.  They are as follows:  1. The temptation of pleasure: Turn these stones into bread. Jesus did
Read more

IF JESUS WAS BAD, CAN YOU FOLLOW HIM?

Image
 *Sunday, October 22, 2023*  29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A  *MISSION SUNDAY*  First Reading. Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6 PSALM 96: 1, 3-5, 7-10 (R. 7b) Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Gospel. Matthew 22: 15-21 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *IF JESUS WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE, WILL YOU FOLLOW HIM?*  Today is mission Sunday, and for anyone to live a fulfilled missionary life, such ought to be a responsible person. No one can survive on a mission land if he lacks good character. I hope you know that Jesus' good character attracted us to follow Him in His mission. So will anyone with good character on a mission influence or attract people to God? Good character attracts, while bad character repels. Jesus is a good man because his ways of life are good. Christianity is a good religion because it is Jesus' way of life. Therefore, Christianity is a way of life. So, since Christianity is a way of life, it teaches how to live a good responsible life filled with a high sense of responsibility.  A Chr
Read more

DO NOT BE A HYPOCRITICAL PERSON

Image
 *Friday, October 20, 2023*  Weekday (28) Ordinary Time A First Reading. Romans 4: 1-8 Psalm 32: 1-2, 5, 11 (R. see 7). Gospel. Luke 12: 1-7 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *TRUST GOD, BUT AVOID HYPOCRISY*  Jesus said, "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy".  It simply means if you know anybody with the under-listed attributes, please in your interest and for the sake of your future, avoid them. If you can't avoid them, learn to manage them. Do not keep such persons as friends, unless you want to ruin your future. So, avoid: 1. The people who are not real, fake by nature. 2. Those who teach the wrong doctrine 3. Those who blackmail and slander people. Note: Be aware that those who gossip to you about others have already massacred you to other people before coming to you. Avoid them. 4. Those who are pretenders  5. Those who are full of eye 👀  service 6. Those who live and dine with envy and jealousy. etc. Jesus went further to say, that ev
Read more