ThirtyFirst Sunday of the Year:A

"WHOEVER HUMBLES WILL BE EXALTED"
First Reading: Mal. 1: 14-2:2,8-10
Second Reading: 1 The 2: 7-9 ,13
Gospel Reading: Mt : 23: 1-12

* First Reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. The prophet gives a warning to Priests, that God intend to humble and punish the proud priests for their empty piety, for straying from the true path and for spreading false doctrines. They have turned away from God and made void the Covenant. They are condemned for their favouritism and causing distinctions and divisions among God's people
* Second Reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul reminds them of his love and care for them and how hard he worked to bring the good news to them. He also gives thanks to God for their openness to his preaching.

*Gospel reading is from St. Mathew . Jesus severely criticises the religious leaders- Pharisees and scribes. But what he says is relevant for us too.
Jesus accused Scribes and Pharisees of double standards. They were only pretending to be good. But in reality they were not so. They paraded themselves in public , dressed in fancy robes. They said long prayers and kept rules that were man made. But inside they were hallow and empty. They took every effort to show off their importance and false piety.
Jesus was able to see beneath the appearences and see the real person. What joy it was for him to find a genuine person like Nathaniel. But he disliked false persons.
The moment we try to be what we are not, we become unreal persons. A humble person never tries to be pretender. That is why Jesus says, "whoever humbles himself will be exalted."