Today our reading from Luke gives us an example of those who claim to serve God but really only serve their own worldly ambitions.
Our reading from Galatians does even better and St Paul lists what it looks like when our focus is on the world, rather than Jesus Christ. It’s a pie in the face moment when we are confronted with a list of a horrible way to live versus a holy life centered on faith.
Some of the list seems far fetched to most reading scripture. But some might hit home. Things like selfishness, fits of rage or anger or even envy. This is not a list by severity but any of these is an indicator we have work to do. And most of us have work to do.
While a list of things is usually not a great guide for spiritual development it is a quick check up on the health of our faith journey.
Thankfully, Paul ends sharing what the fruit of the Spirit looks like. What is present when the Holy Spirit has made a home in our heart.
Let’s pray to God that he will help us seek the latter and reject the former even when it comes from within us and suddenly takes control. I am thinking about a long drive I have today in traffic. I will say a rosary on my way to help me disengage from anger or any fits of rage. Maybe you have similar challenges today.
Peace to you all as you also make your way into the world today.
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see Jn 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
The Lord said:
“Woe to you Pharisees!
You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,
but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.
These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
Woe to you Pharisees!
You love the seat of honor in synagogues
and greetings in marketplaces.
Woe to you!
You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”
Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply,
“Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”
And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”
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