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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate,

but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

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You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup,

so that the outside also may become clean.”

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– Matthew 23:25-26 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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After reproaching the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy in religious practice,

our Lord now goes on to indict their two-facedness in matters of morality.

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However, Jesus is not just addressing them, but all of us,

and this reflects the Lord’s concern

for that moral purity which should characterise every Christian’s interior life.

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Jesus is telling us all that what is of prime importance

is cleanliness of heart,

an upright intention,

and consistency between what one says and what one does.

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PRAYER…

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You are blessed, O God,

the Source of happiness in Your creatures,

my Maker,

my Lord,

my Defender.

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You have sustained me,

supported me,

and protected me,

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You are, in every situation,

able to meet my needs and despairs.

May I live by You,

and live for You.

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May I get to resemble Jesus;

and may I steadily conform to His principles

and to His character.

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Let Your unparalleled love constrain me into holy obedience,

and let my duties be my delight.

Lord, eliminate my selfishness,

remove my hypocrisy.

and grant that I may truly love You.

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Save me, Lord,

don’t give up on me;

keep me close to You.

Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Save me, O Lord..

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Truth or truthfulness is the virtue

which consists in showing oneself true in deeds

and truthful in words,

and guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy.

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[CCC 2505]

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