31st Sunday Ordinary Time - November 5th, 2023 (Click Here for Readings)

In this Sunday’s readings, dishonor toward God, corruption, injustice, idolatry and numerous other abominations were the norm among the post-exilic Jews during the time of Malachi, and with the Scribes and Pharisees during Jesus’ time among them. The fury of Jesus and Malachi in their messages of rebuke and warning to their hearers was much needed for their awakening.

And today as well, many of these behaviors by religious leaders of power and visibility continue to exist. False and distorted teachings of scripture, artificial showmanship and partiality in the treatment of their followers are as common today among many so-called men of God as it was in biblical times.

The preaching of prosperity gospels, for example, can sway gullible and greedy worshipers toward the self-intentions of televangelists and street preachers in the same ways the priests, Rabbis and false prophets of old abused their positions of power to take advantage of their hearers.

At the Opposing End

In St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, however, we see a refreshing switch as he commends his hearers for receiving, believing and applying the true unblemished word of God in their lives. Because of his humility with no hidden motives or intent to impress, he was very trusted in encouraging them to strengthen their belief in Jesus amid their ongoing persecution by their anti-Christian neighbors.

His preaching was with sincerity and Godly simplicity without guile, motive or greed, and was a key reason for his success.  He was not out to financially prosper himself through his preaching, but instead worked hard day and night adding in his trade as a tentmaker to support himself so as not to burden any of his hearers by “passing the basket.”

He cherished his people as a mother cherishes her children. His sole intent was to express the Gospel pure and simple for the benefit of his hearers.

And when we see the difference between St. Paul and the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees, it helps us better discern the voices from pulpits, televangelists, secular-minded friends and neighbors today who can sway us from God’s truths.

Real men or women, whether Catholic, Protestant or Jew who can shed their phylacteries, gowns and tassels, humble themselves and become human “like us,” and practice as they preach have qualities that we should always demand in all our church leaders.

And when we see a lack of these qualities, we need to pray for the strength to voice our charges against those unfit leaders for the flaws of their words and ways, just as Malachi and Jesus did.

No matter how dangerous or intimidating these challenges may be, let us be strong, bold and unafraid as Jesus always was with the Pharisees and Scribes.

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