Our scripture passages for today are continuations of readings from earlier this week. They present a sharp contrast between those who are faithfully aware of God’s Word and God’s presence in their lives, and those whose pious actions are contradicted by their internal attitudes about their relationship with God.
St. Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:9-13) speaks to the faithful Thessalonians as a loving parent would to the children of whom the parent is proud. The Thessalonians have responded in a very positive way to the teaching of Paul, and Paul realizes that the faith that they received from his preaching is the work of God, not the work of the human agent, even though Paul has worked diligently to share the faith with the community of new believers.
The psalmist (Psalm 139:7-12) rejoices that there is no place where we can escape the presence of God. God is always aware of where we are, both physically and spiritually, and He seeks to be with us when we are open to His presence. He welcomes us back, even the most wayward, with open arms.
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 23:27-32), Jesus again speaks harshly to some of the leaders of the faith of His day. He compares them to white-washed tombs that look beautiful from the outside but are filled with decaying bodies and corruption. He reminds them that in the past, it was the religious leaders of the day who persecuted and killed the prophets of God, those who spoke God’s Word to the people. He reminds them that it was the religious leaders of the day who later built memorials, special tombs, to honor the very messengers that they had killed. What hypocrites!
We have all visited “cities of the dead,” like those in New Orleans, or Washington DC, or Bo, or Addis Ababa, or Frankfurt or Honolulu, or Elk Grove, or perhaps even in Jerusalem, where the façades of tombs are painted white and decorated to honor the dead. But inside are mortal bodies that, over time, become like the dirt that covers them. For the Jewish people of Jesus’ days, who believed that touching the dead made them ritually unclean, the comparison would have been quite powerful. It is quite powerful in 2025, too.
The challenge for us today is to think about our own relationship with Jesus, with God. Am I like the people whom Jesus chastises in today’s Gospel, who only are concerned with the outward appearance and looking pious in other people’s eyes? Or am I more like Paul and the Thessalonians in trying to hear what God is saying and seeking to put my faith into actions? It is easy to try to put on a nice show so that others will think well of me. Yet, if people look close at the false façade that I sometimes put on, they will see the filth that underlies my false external covering. It is harder to take the time to listen to God’s Word and see how it applies in my interactions with the people with whom I meet on a daily basis, especially my family members, my co-workers, and those with whom I come in contact in the parish or community.
One thing that can help in my hearing God’s message and putting my faith into action is recognizing what the psalmist tells us in today’s psalm. If I am conscious of the fact that God is always with me, no matter where I am and no matter what I am thinking or doing, then it becomes a bit easier to do what God wills.
I am reminded of the poem by Francis Thompson entitled The Hound of Heaven. In the poem the author speaks of how he tries to escape God Who always seems to be after him. He fears that God is chasing him because of the terrible sins that he has committed. It is not until the end of the poem that author realizes that it is because of God’s love for him that God is always pursuing him.
I also recall a song by Don Francisco entitled Adam, Where Are You? That song quotes the words that God speaks to Adam after the fall (Genesis 3: 9). The song not only is God speaking to the hiding Adam (and Eve), but to all of us, the descendants of Adam and Eve, and who are also sinners like our first ancestors. Since all of us are like Adam in that we are “human,” “clay of the earth,” “mortal,” God keeps asking the hiding sinner, “Adam, where are you?” It can be fearful to realize that God is always seeking us out, especially after we have missed the mark with our sinfulness. But God is constantly pursuing us, constantly asking, “Where are you?” God is persistent in searching us out. He doesn’t want to scold us, to tell us, “You blew it again.” or “How many more chances must I give you?” or “That’s the last straw!” The few words that God wants speaks to us are “I forgive you. I want you to come back to me. I love you.”
When have I experienced “The Hound of Heaven” – God – searching me out? What “message” did I receive from God when I became aware of God being with me? What has been my experience of knowing how much the Lord Jesus loves me? Does becoming more aware of God’s presence help me to avoid sinning? What can I do to reassure others of the loving and compassionate care of God?
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!