Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 22,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus spoke to the multitude and his disciples saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Do and observe all that they command you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens difficult to carry and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves do not move one finger to help them. All their works they do to be seen by others. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the hems of their garments.  They love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the marketplaces, and being called ‘Rabbi.’

“But do not be called Rabbi. You have but one teacher and you are all brothers. Call no man your father upon earth for you have only one Father who is in heaven. Do not be called Master, for you have one Master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

What is my motivation for my faith practice? Strengthening my loving bonds or prestige?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

Today’s gospel reading recounts Jesus’ warning to us about hypocrisy and pride within religious communities and the misuse of religious authority. Jesus urges us to follow the teachings of our faith but warns us to remain always humble in our faith and to practice our faith humbly as servants.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

LORD, Father Almighty, Word Made Flesh, Spirit in our midst, look upon us this day with love and stir within our hearts. Enlarge our minds and hearts so that we might invite You to remain with us and in us. Take away all sense of pride and entitlement. Create in us true servants, loving servants. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more