Tuesday of the
Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
(I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 23:23-26)
The man said he was an atheist. He added his reason. He said that religion has been at the center
of so many wars that he could no longer believe in God. Of course, he was overlooking the overwhelming
amount of assistance that faith has provided people over the ages. He also might have thought for a moment about
the destruction wrought by Communists and Nazis in recent times. Nonetheless, Jesus in today’s gospel makes a
similar criticism of religious opportunists.
Jesus is disturbed by people who use religion to benefit
themselves. Evidently a considerable
number of Pharisees and scribes distort Judaism to this effect. Rather than emphasize the prophets’ call to compassion,
they exploit the Law’s precepts for their own benefit. Their exploitation especially hurts the
poor.
We have a double duty in regard to those who profit by religion. We should resist their solicitations by
standing firm with Jesus, the prophet.
He shows little patience with those who burden others for their own
benefit. We also have to avoid a harsh
criticism of religion. People have misused
it over the centuries for their material benefit. But even events like the Crusades must be analyzed
in their historical context and include the intentions of those involved. Much more characteristic of religious belief
have been institutions dispensing charity and orienting people to the true God.
