Thirty First Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)

Thirty First Sunday of Ordinary Time November 05, 2023

Malachi 1:14-2:2.8-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.13; Matthew 23:1-12

(image courtesy: Google)

One of the best stories of humility we can narrate today is that of a man who arrived in 1953 at the Chicago railway station to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He stepped off the train, a tall man with bushy hair and a big mustache. As the cameras flashed and city officials approached with hands outstretched to meet him, he thanked them politely. Then he asked to be excused for a minute. He walked through the crowd to the side of an elderly black woman struggling with two large suitcases. He picked them up, smiled, and escorted her to the bus, helped her get on, and wished her a safe journey. Then Dr. Albert Schweitzer turned to the crowd and apologized for keeping them waiting. It is reported that one member of the reception committee told a reporter, "That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.”

The readings from the book of Malachi, the letter to the Thessalonians, and the Gospel according to Matthew invite us to reflect on important aspects of our faith journey. They call us to re-evaluate the way we approach God, interact with one another, and strive for greatness in the eyes of the Lord. The Gospel of the day presents to us the judgment against contemporary religious leaders who are more concerned about self-promotion than service to others. Christ-like leadership calls for integrity and honesty from all those in authority, whether priests, parents, teachers, or politicians. There should be in leaders no double standards. Rather, there should grow a deep sense of equality, and mutual respect between, leaders and those they rule. Each should seek to serve the other. Service, not status, is the mark of this new community, and true humility is the only position its members should seek.

The first reading reminds us of the importance of sincerity and reverence in our worship and service to God. When we think about offering sacrifices, we may not be bringing literal animals to an altar, but we still have sacrifices to offer: our time, talents, and resources. Malachi's message extends beyond rituals; it emphasizes the quality and sincerity of our offerings. Do we give our best to the Lord, or do we hold back, offering Him only our leftovers? Our faith should inspire us to give our all, not out of obligation but out of love for the One who gave His all for us. Our sincerity in worship and service is a reflection of our true devotion.

In a world that often celebrates power, wealth, and prestige, Jesus' message challenges our understanding of greatness. He invites us to consider a different path, a path marked by humility and service. In God's kingdom, greatness is not measured by how high we climb the social or corporate ladder but by how low we are willing to stoop to help others. It's a call to shift our focus from self-promotion to selfless love.

Hypocrisy was a significant issue for the religious leaders of Jesus' time, and it remains a challenge for us today. It's easy to put on a facade, to present ourselves in a way that garners praise and recognition, but Jesus calls us to authenticity. He calls us to be true to our faith, to be humble servants, and to seek the well-being of others above our own.

As we reflect on these readings, we are confronted with questions that challenge our very identity as followers of Christ:

Do we approach our relationship with God with sincerity and reverence, offering our best in all that we do?

Does our faith inspire us to live out the Gospel, not just in words but in the way we treat others?

Are we pursuing greatness as defined by the world, or are we embracing the humility and service that Jesus calls us to?

The Lord invites us to re-evaluate our lives as disciples of Christ. It reminds us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life. It encourages us to offer our best to God with sincerity and reverence, to live out our faith through love and authentic service, and to embrace humility and selflessness in our actions. The true measure of greatness, as Jesus teaches, is found in humble service to others.

Happy Sunday