Daily Readings for August 30, 2017

1ST READING

One of the roles of a leader in the Church is to encourage people in their faith. A good leader desires to see that those they lead surpass them in holiness and effectiveness in the exercise of their gifts. True leadership rejoices in the successful exercise of the gifts of God. “Presbyterum Ordinis,” the document on priests from Vatican II, reminds priests that one of their important duties is to help the faithful discern and develop the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given them.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

9 You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers. 11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, 12 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory. 13 And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

P S A L M

Psalm 139:7-8, 9-10, 11-12

R: You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

7 Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. (R) 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. (R) 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light” — 12 for you darkness itself is not dark, and night shines as the day. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus again condemns hypocrisy. Hypocrisy kills the true spirit of the Church community and hinders us from becoming the joyful and vibrant witnesses to the love of God. May all Church leaders submit their lives to God so that He can empower them with the gifts they need to lead their flock well. Good will and clever techniques are not enough to make good leaders. They need the Holy Spirit to guide them.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

Matthew 23:27-32

27 Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. 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. 28 Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 32 now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”