August 17, 2011. Homily, Tuesday, August 23, 2011.

Matthew 23:23-26.

Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean."

The Gospel of the Lord.

This Gospel is about hypocrites. Of course what do we know about hypocrites.

hypocrite: [Webster] one who acts a false part or makes false pretensions. In the context of this Gospel, one whose outside appearance is at variance with his inner being.

mint and dill and cummin are all spices, so to tithe a spice is to allot a grain to God; it is to tithe the inconsequential while ignoring the consequential - the consequential are judgment and mercy and fidelity.

strain the gnat but swallow the camel.

A Christian knows that “There but for the grace of God go I” is not just a catchphrase but profound truth, and a Christian always admits that he is a sinner in need of forgiveness. Do not be afraid to admit you have done wrong; do not defend your sins; do not be satisfied with who you are: allow God to forgive you; allow God to make you perfect.

1) The steps of St. Paul with the wife of the president of the major utility in Uruguay, a tertiary Franciscan, who knew Mother Teresa, who had been on a retreat with her and knew her for a fascinating conversationalist and a master gossip.

2) Carl Wotyla on the way to his first conclave in the Sistine Chapel was carrying Mao's Little Red Book. He was called on it by a fellow cardinal. Cardinal Wotyla answered, "My conscience is clear."