Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 25,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Matthew 23:23-26

(Jesus said,) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes on mint and anise and cummin and have omitted the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faith. 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 the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside may also be clean,”

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

Am I consumed with outward appearance and irrelevant matters? Is my journey focused on my own turning to Christ rather than falling in line with others’ expectations?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel, Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy in their detail to the inconsequential while ignoring the core of the law. Jesus calls us to be rather people of justice, mercy and faith. And Jesus reminds us that is the external appearance is irrelevant if our interior, our minds, hearts and souls, are contaminated with sin. He calls us true conversion, to purity of heart and soul.

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

LORD, Almighty Father, Only Begotten Son, Most Holy Spirit, cleanse my heart, and mind and soul so that I may better welcome You into my life, my being. Clear out the selfishness within me and those things that lead me to close myself to your grace and to your love. Tenderize me so that I may more perfectly conform myself to your love and to your will for me. Amen,

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