Whoa! Woes!

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Rom 2:1-11; PS 62:2-3, 6-7, 9; Lk 11:42-46
Notes:

The woes today are not the woes of the Sermon on the Plain (Luke chapter 6).
The woes of chapter 6 are centered on the ‘great divides’ much like the ones we have today.

Sermon on the Plain:

• Poor – rich.
• Hungry – sated.
• Grieving and weeping – laughing.
• Flattery with false religious history.

The woes today are different.
These are criticisms of the leadership of Pharisees and Scholars:

• “Tithe the trivial” while ignoring the weightier matters of judgment and love of God.
• “Seat of Honor” while being dishonorable.
• “Unseen Grave” means you lead others into sin.
• Impose burdens which are impossible to carry but you offer no aid.

First reading
Saint Paul takes us ‘to the mat’ today.

You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.

Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance?

Responsorial Psalm
Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

Alleluia Verse
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel Portion
How can we not offer self-criticism?
How can we participate in the Synodal process?
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2021/september/documents/20210918-fedeli-diocesiroma.html

It is a good time to remind everyone who is obsessed with making laws to regulate everyone and everything:

Saint Paul: For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself,
since you, the judge, do the very same things.

Jesus: And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

Just saying.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry