August 23, 2021 Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time-B

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10

Psalm 149

Matthew 23:13-22

…calling to mind you work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope… 1 Thes. 1:3

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.”  Mt. 23:13

Lord, your missionary St. Paul praises the people of Thessalonica for their faith, hope and charity. You, on the other hand, have sharp criticism of the Pharisees who were hypocrites for how they lived their faith. There is probably some Pharisee and some Thessalonian in each of us.  We may be zealous in our works of charity but do it with little love. We may be more interested in putting on a show of holiness than being really holy. It is good for you to rebuke us when we need correcting. This is good news for us that you love us enough to point out how we can be better disciples.  Lord, I pray for the grace to share my faith in you with anyone who needs to receive it. I also pray for the humility to do good works for your sake and not for my own. May I embrace your correction as an invitation to repent and to build your kingdom every day. I ask you to be patient with me for I am far from perfect. With your grace I cannot fail.  Amen.