Do not be blind guides

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, Jesus warns against misguiding others on the path of faith, the path of salvation, saying: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You. . . make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides. . ."

As a follower and disciple of Christ, we have the great responsibility to speak Truth and lead others to Jesus, even when faced with "persecutions and. . . afflictions." Those who blindly  lead others go astray out of selfish desires are unworthy of the calling of Christ. However, we cannot go about it alone; we need the grace of God. More importantly, we must help each other along the path of salvation, especially by lifting each other up in prayers. 

It is as Saint Paul wrote in his Second Letter to the Thessalonians:

"We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ."

Here is a prayer for us:

"Lord Jesus, your word is life for me. May I never shut the door to your heavenly kingdom through my stubborn pride or disbelief. Help me to listen to your voice attentively and to conform my life more fully to your word. Amen."

. . .

Gospel of the Day

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."