In the first reading Paul encourages the Thessalonians to “stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you by word or by letter.” May they remain true and faithful to the Good News preached to them.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus denounces the religious leaders of his time for their lack of godliness and sincerity. He accuses them of hypocrisy; of cleansing the outside while being defiled in the inside.

This applies to all of us who call ourselves people of God. We are all sinners, fallen and in great need of God’s grace.

Jesus is calls us out of our conceited selves and reminds us that holiness is not something that we put on for others to see and notice. It is more important to nurture our relationship with God than to receive the empty admiration of others.

Cleaning from within through repentance before God, especially through the sacrament of Reconciliation, and being truthful at whatever cost bring us closer to God, “Purify the inside first, then the outside too will be purified.”