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Gospel Commentary for August 25, 2025
A Rebuke to All
The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are a total rebuke of empty, routine, and hypocritical actions. “Woe to you!” His warning is directed at those who focus so much on outward appearances that they lose the real meaning of why they do what they do. Even worse, they are convinced that all their formalities, routines, and shallow practices will save them. Keeping only the outer shell may look shiny for a while, but deep down there is an emptiness that will eventually come to light—an existential emptiness disguised as happiness, good works, and prestige.
In contrast, the Letter to the Thessalonians is a hymn of praise to the fullness of Christian life, summed up in one verse with the three theological virtues: “Before our God and Father we constantly remember your work of faith, your labor of love, and your endurance in hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice it is not presented in terms of brilliance, prestige, or fame, but in terms of effort. Virtues are not only gifts of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit; they also demand effort, endurance, perseverance. Faith is not something static—it is alive, shown in works of prayer, justice, and life in God. Love is not just a romantic feeling—it is the effort of focusing on God and doing good, even when it is hard. People say jokingly: “I love humanity, but I can’t stand the person next to me.” And hope is not a naïve illusion that things will somehow get better. That kind of hope collapses easily when nothing goes well. Christian hope is stronger: it is the anchor in God despite everything, the certainty that salvation has already been accomplished in Christ.
What we are given today is a true program of conversion. Rules and appearances are fine—“well done is well seen,” as our grandmothers used to say. But it’s not enough to look good; we must be good inside—firm, faithful, filled with the Spirit who strengthens us in those three great virtues that reach straight to the heart of God.