Test of Suffering

Aug 26: Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

God doesn’t want us to suffer needlessly, but He will put our sufferings to good use.

Reading 1

2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater. Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure.

This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering.

We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Suffering is never pointless. It can be a test of faith; it can even strengthen faith. Jesus saved the world through His suffering.

If we don't understand how or why we’re suffering at any given time, that's understandable. Our perspective is always limited like that. But if we look beyond our own suffering to Christ's, we can unite it with the cross, and participate in salvation.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

The Old Testament refers to "gods" in the sense of lesser, but still supernatural beings. We may not be dealing with literal spirits like that, but we can still be distracted by "gods" of money, politics, and sin. These are all ultimately nothing; we have to look past them to the true God who deserves our praise.

Alleluia

Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Recognizing Jesus’ call does not mean that we are the ones choosing Him; He still chose us.

Gospel

Mt 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.' Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.' You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom so he could open the gates. The scribes and Pharisees, on the other hand, have use their authority to block the gates. Their example and their teachings are an obstacle to their followers. They’re leading their sheep astray, unlike the good shepherd.

If we’re in a position to teach, we have to be cautious. We don’t want to lead someone astray, “make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as ourselves.”