Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
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Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel text
Mt 23:13-22
Mt 23:13-22
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter."
Gospel's Commentary
Today we see Jesus unusually angry. Scribes and Pharisees do the impossible: annoy God and the people! They are those who "don’t do" and, at the same time, "don’t let do". They "Don’t do" what they themselves say has to be done: they give a bad example. And at the same time "don’t let do" because they order others to do many rites (invented) that God doesn’t ask...
-So, what is God asking? "I want love, not sacrifices."