<p><em>It is always tempting to hear Jesus diatribes against hypocrisy as intended for other listeners. Todays reflection reminds us that we too are an intended audience. If we hope to be nourished at the Table of Loves Law then we must let it penetrate deeper than mere observance.</em></p><p><strong>November 5 2023: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A</strong></p><p>Malachi 1:14b - 2:2b 8-10</p><p>Psalm 131:1 - 1</p><p>Thessalonians 2:7b - 9 13</p><p>Matthew 23:1 - 12&nbsp;</p><div><div class=titan__email-divider>&nbsp;</div></div><h3><strong>The Nourishing Law of Love<br></strong></h3><p><em>A reflection by Ann Penick</em></p><p>Where do I begin? How many examples one could take from current events and apply them to all three of this Sundays readings! The basic message of these readings is this: we are called to humility and integrity. Malachi demands that we listen to Gods Word and love one another. Pauls Letter to the Thessalonians tells us that we are to proclaim the Good News. In the gospel Jesus calls out those who put heavy laws on others while not practicing what they preach. These readings are certainly a message for those in leadership of our Church as well as for all faith communitiesbut there is also a message for us. The words we hear from Jesus about the hypocritical religious leadership of his time applies as much today as it did in yesteryear.</p><p>The prophets of the Jewish Scriptures were free to love their tradition and criticize it at the same time. However these days often we presume that if one is criticizing the Church they do not love it. I believe the prophets would say the opposite! To criticize the Church can be an act of faithfulness to the community! The question we have to ask ourselves: Am I criticizing as an expression of want to get my way or as a result of humble discernment? I pray I do the latter. You pray as well!</p><p>Malachi gives us a glimpse into the Jewish communities in the mid-5th century BCE. The foundational message of Malachi is criticism of the temple priests. Malachi accuses them of giving scandal to the people and not being faithful to Gods covenant. The priests were supposed to instruct the community as Gods messengers. These priests of Levi as they were known were acknowledged in the Law as those who would point Gods people back to the covenantwhere peace and life could be found. But often they stopped short of the covenant and only concerned themselves with the letter of the Law.</p><p>In the passage from First Thessalonians we read of a church community which probably met in homes for worship because there were no church buildings. Paul encouraged and pleaded for them to lead lives acceptable to God. Paul stated that the Church in Thessalonica would be harmed if its leaders did not exercise the leadership inspired by Jesus.</p><p>In the gospel Jesus has sharp words for the Scribes and the Pharisees but he is speaking to the disciples and crowds who have gathered to listen. Hypocrisy really angered Jesus and as a faithful Jew he saw lots of it in the religious leaders of the day! Jesus never seemed to hesitate to speak against those who said one thing but did another. The Scribes were the religious intellectuals charge with interpreting the Scriptures and applying them to everyday life. The Pharisees formed a popular movement that expressed itself in communal meals and prided itself on exact observance of the law. Although not the same group there was overlap between the two and together they were said to occupy the Chair of Mosesindicating authority over the actions of the community. Like Malachi Jesus warns those leaders not to give themselves elite status but to be faithful in helping others discern Gods will. Jesus urges the crowds to follow the teachings but avoid the hypocrisy. These leaders only had holiness in their appearance but not in their hearts.</p><p>We too can be in danger of becoming hypocrites: judging others and declaring what God wants them to do. We can easily fall prey to the spirit of self-importance which may damage our own hearts and hurt our communities. But the Good News is that we are also capable of repentance and yes holiness! Jesus tells us it is better to acknowledge our wrong doings and those times when we fall short rather than be defensive and dishonest. God desires communion with creation and will never leave us but we keep God at a safe distance when we do not let the Spirit penetrate our own behaviors and attitudes. We can ask Jesus for forgiveness but that implies openness to change. Jesus invites us: Come and follow me. Following Jesus should reach into every aspect of our lives. We can be assured there is a place at Gods table for all of us. We can be assured each of us isfront and centerat the Divine table of love. But when we do not let that love penetrate our own choices we may leave that Table hungrynot for lack of food but for our unwillingness to take it in.</p><div><div class=titan__email-divider>&nbsp;</div><div class=titan__email-divider><img src='https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/ann3_0.png'></div></div><div class=mobile-full><div class=mobile-full><em><strong>Ann Penick</strong> is originally from the Chicago area. She and her husband Jim live in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Ann was ordained a priest with Roman Catholic Womenpriests in 2011. Ann has been serving the faith communities of Dignity Washington and Northern Virginia Dignity as one of their presiders since 2017. She also serves as one of the board members of DignityUSA. In addition she has been pastoring a faith community of young families in Washington DC since 2013.</em></div><div class=mobile-full></div><div class=mobile-full></div></div><p style=text-align: center;><a class=btn btn-primary href=https://dignityusa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dignityusa/subscribe.jsp?subscription=8>Subscribe to Breath of the Spirit</a></p>