As head of our youth music ministry, I came up with 21 new rules which I strictly enforced. I believed this frontliner ministry deserved the holiest of servants. But behind my militant leadership was guilt and shame for unconfessed impurity. Hypocrisy can lead to self-righteousness and unforgiveness, when oftentimes it’s because we haven’t forgiven ourselves.

Decades later, I’m still guilty of doing the same thing with my son. I come down hard on him for the very things I struggle with myself—being disorganized, failing to prioritize what matters, not getting ready on time, being late, eating poorly, or watching too much TV. I know I’m not a good example, so I raise my voice to drown out the loudness of my actions.

As I write this, I am experiencing God’s conviction. Once again, I ask for His forgiveness and for the grace to forgive myself. I pray I would become a more gentle, kind, and compassionate father—one who leads with quiet action, not shouting words.

George Tolentino Gabriel (georgetgabriel@gmail.com)

reflect

Are you hard on other people? If so, have you asked yourself why?

Lord, You always do what You say. Help me to be more like You in that way.

St. Andrew the Scot, pray for us.

First Reading | Ezekiel 43:1-7 (or Isaiah 9:1-6)

In celebrating the Eucharist, we ought to be in a prone position, especially during the consecration. Since this is impractical, we kneel instead. I recall a Eucharistic procession where, as we passed, people fell to their knees in reverence of the Real Presence. May we rediscover this deep sense of homage and respect for the glory of God’s presence among us.

¹ The angel led me to the gate which faces the east, ² and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. ³ The vision was like that which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar. I fell prone ⁴ as the glory of the Lord entered the temple by way of the gate which faces the east, ⁵ but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court. And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord. ⁶ Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple, while the man stood beside me. ⁷ The voice said to me: Son of man, this is where my throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of my feet; here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 (or Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)

R: The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

⁹ I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for he proclaims peace. ¹⁰ Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) ¹¹ Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. ¹² Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) ¹³ The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. ¹⁴ Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R) 

Gospel | Matthew 23:1-12 (or Luke 1:26-38)

Let us resist hypocrisy and strive to live out every aspect of the Christian life we proclaim, so that all may see our sincerity and faithfulness to God’s will. Knowing what is right is not enough—we must also act upon it. Jesus calls us to embrace His will wholeheartedly and bear unwavering witness to the Gospel. Few things are more disheartening than seeing someone paralyzed by uncertainty, unsure of their next step.

Gospel Acclamation

You have but one Father in heaven; you have but one master, the Christ.

¹ Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, ² saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. ³ Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. ⁵ All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. ⁶ They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, ⁷ greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ ⁸ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. ¹⁰ Do not be called ‘Master’; you havebut one master, the Christ. ¹¹ The greatest among you must be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 

Read the Bible in one year! Read JOB 30 - 33 today.

The Call to Authenticity

At this point in His ministry, Jesus shifts His focus from confronting the religious leaders to addressing the crowds and His disciples. He refers back to the scribes and Pharisees, not to insult them outright but to warn His listeners—and us—about the dangers of religious hypocrisy.

Jesus acknowledges the authority of these leaders: they “have taken their seat on the chair of Moses,” teaching the Law with precision. But His critique is clear: “They do not practice what they preach.” They tie up heavy burdens—rigid interpretations of the Law—and place them on others, yet they themselves refuse to lift a finger to help.

This message is especially relevant today. There was once a catechist who, after a serious illness, shared that her greatest regret was having focused too much on rules and appearances, and not enough on mercy. “I taught the commandments,” she said, “but forgot to show compassion.” Her awakening became her transformation—she returned to teaching, but this time with a gentler heart.

Jesus’ words offer a contrast: His own yoke is easy, His burden light (Matthew 11:28–30). He also criticizes the desire for recognition—enlarged phylacteries, long tassels, seats of honor. These are not signs of holiness, but of self-promotion.

True discipleship, Jesus insists, lies not in being seen or praised but in serving others. The greatest among us must be the servant. His closing words pierce our hearts: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

May we not merely teach faith but embody it—living lives that point not to ourselves, but to God. For in humility and service, we find the path to greatness in the Kingdom.

Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB

reflection questions

What is your attitude when you see preachers who are not true to what they preach? What can you do about it personally? What things hinder you from being humble?

Lord, may the leaders of the Church be effective preachers through their genuine witness. Grant me the grace of humility. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _________________________________