Wednesday, August 30, 2023

 Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

 (I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:27-32)

 The “whitewashed tombs” in today’s gospel refers to the Jewish practice of painting tombs white.  Such coloring was to warn the people not to go near those tombs.  The Jewish concern was not respect for the dead, however, but dread of contamination by being in their proximity.

Jesus’ association of the scribes and Pharisees with “whitewashed tombs” constitutes a severe criticism.  He is saying that their apparent virtue only masquerades spiritual rot.  He claims that the scribes and Pharisees are hypocrites of a major order.  Their crimes have been detailed throughout the gospel.  They tie excessive burdens on the poor by a narrow interpretation of the law.  They seek the adulation of the masses but lack righteousness.  They persecute him for curing the sick by saying that he is in league with the devil.

We should remember that not all the scribes and Pharisees were evil.  Indeed, the Pharisaical movement saved the Jewish faith after the destruction of the Temple.  Nevertheless, they badgered Jesus and were especially severe in persecuting his followers later in the first century.  More importantly, however, we must take care that we do not turn hypocritical like the Pharisees in the gospels.  We should strive to be understanding of others’ faults, always ready to help others live virtuous lives.