Commemoration of Blessed Alvarez of Cordova (19 February 2008)

As we continue reading at Mass in the passages having to do with Christian morality, we come today to that passage in which Our Lord warns his hearers against the hypocrisy of some of the religious leaders of the time. He says that they don’t practice what they preach, and that “All their works are performed to be seen.” By saying this, Our Lord is pointing out that not only are the ordinary people in need of moral improvement, but even their moral leaders—perhaps ESPECIALLY their moral leaders. We need to listen carefully to his words and to apply them to ourselves. Do we practice what WE preach? Are we totally honest, totally authentic? Can we be relied on to tell the truth, to ACT the truth, to LIVE the truth? Are our works performed to be seen? If so, we’re phony; we’re actors on a stage. Let us be careful to perform our works to be seen by God, not by our fellow men and women. It is only HIS opinion that really counts and that is the authentic measure of our integrity and of our worthiness of reward. Thank you for seeking God’s truth. God bless you. Father Victor Brown., O.P.