25 August 2025, Monday of the 21st week
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10: Matthew 23:13-22
Homily
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus' preaching begins with a series of ‘blessings’; and one of his last great discourses before his Passion begins with a series of ‘curses,’ all directed against the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. When we think of Jesus' great kindness and mercy towards all kinds of sinners, his severity towards the Pharisees may surprise us.