1ST READING
Malachi is railing against the unfaithfulness of presumably, the Jewish leaders. He says that they have abandoned the covenant of their fathers and led others to do the same. Malachi prophesies at a difficult time in Jewish history where they have been exiled for a few centuries. The Greeks are asserting their ascendancy and forcing people to believe in their gods. However, this does not excuse the people’s unfaithfulness and Malachi reminds them that adopting pagan ways will amount to nothing.
Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10
14 A great King am I, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. 2:1 And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, 2 and if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. 8 You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts. 9 I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. 10 Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?
P S A L M
Psalm 131:1, 2, 3
R: In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
1 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. (R) 2 Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. (R) 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (R)
2ND READING
Paul explains that the ministry of the Gospel entails hard work and we have to commit to see it through. If we do not persevere, we may drive people away from the Gospel due to our lack of commitment. What Jesus says in the Gospel is true — the one who sets his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13
7 Brothers and sisters: We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. 8 With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. 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. 13 And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.
GOSPEL
The Gospel is often counter-intuitive. At the end of today’s Gospel, we find Jesus saying that “the greatest among you should be your servant.” The people who exalt themselves in this life will find it difficult to enter the Kingdom of God as it requires humility, not self-importance. We need to remember this as we live in a world that tells us we need to promote ourselves in order to advance in life. Yes, that might be the case in the world, but when it comes to the Gospel, humility will win the day every time.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
You have but one Father in heaven and one master, the Christ.
Matthew 23:1-12
1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
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