First Reading: (Jeremiah 30:1–2, 12–15, 18–22)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 102)
Response:
The Lord shall build up Zion; He will appear in His glory.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God.
Alleluia.
Gospel: (Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14)
Reflection
After rebuking the Pharisees and scribes for placing greater importance on external rituals than on interior holiness, Jesus concluded with these striking words:
"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted."
What did He mean?
Jesus was referring to the Pharisees, who had become offended because He challenged their obsession with external observances. They expected Him to criticize His disciples for neglecting ceremonial handwashing. Instead, Jesus revealed a deeper truth:
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth."
True purity begins in the heart. A person may appear clean on the outside while remaining spiritually unclean within. External displays of religion without genuine conversion are merely appearances. Such pretenses cannot endure.
Only what is rooted in God and in truth will last.
Jesus then told His disciples:
"Leave them alone."
In other words, do not waste your energy trying to convince those who have already closed their hearts to the truth. Some people refuse to understand-not because they are incapable of understanding, but because pride, prejudice, or selfish interests have hardened their hearts.
Eventually, however, the truth always comes to light. Everything built on falsehood, hypocrisy, or human pride will one day be uprooted.
We, too, can become spiritually blind.
Sometimes we argue simply to defend our opinions rather than to seek the truth. Pride, ego, fear of admitting we were wrong, personal agendas, or shame can prevent us from recognizing what is clearly before us.
The blindness of the Pharisees was not caused by ignorance but by a refusal to accept the truth despite overwhelming evidence.
Jesus stood before them.
He taught with authority.
He performed mighty works.
Yet they had already made up their minds.
Let us therefore ask for the humility to recognize God's truth wherever it is found. May we never reject it simply because it challenges our preferences or exposes our weaknesses.
May the Lord free us from:
Spiritual blindness,
Moral blindness,
Intellectual blindness,
so that we may walk always in His truth.
Amen
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