Todays Gospel reading stands in direct contrast to the images of Jesus as the quintessential, Mister Nice-Guy.
And thats probably a good thing.
Of course Jesus is filled with love, compassion, and mercy. But at the same time,
he did become man in order to do battle with the devil, to correct our mistaken views about who God is, and ultimately to die a violent, painful death so that we could be forgiven of our sins. Its good to be reminded every now and then how high the stakes were.
Jesus words about the hypocrisy of some of the religious leaders of his day reveal
how easy it can be to become satisfied with external displays of religion and lose sight of the heart of our faith.
Picture this scenario, for instance: On a given Sunday, you find yourself at in a church filled with amazing beauty. The architectural design of the building is simply majestic, and the artwork inside is breathtaking. The priests vestments and the banners hanging around the church match perfectly and are stunning. No one in the choir sings off-key, and the harmonies are precise and blend beautifully with one another.
This picture may be very attractive, but is this the extent of the beauty Jesus is looking for from his church? Just what is beautiful in Jesus eyes?
St. Ambrose once said that the beauty of the church does not consist primarily in its good works or in its lavish rituals. Rather, the
core beauty of the church consists in hearts that love Jesus.
The beauty Jesus is looking for can be found in the quiet peace of a mother who nurses her baby in the middle of the night. It is found in a man who gives of his time and energy to look after his employees at work. It is found in a liturgy—whether simple or elaborate—that leads the congregation into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus.
It is found in knowing Jesus as the source and power of all that is good—
and exalting him in our thoughts, words, and actions. How beautiful are you?
