REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 5TH NOVEMBER 2023
REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 5TH NOVEMBER 2023 Malachi 1:14b-2:2b.8-10; Ps.131; 1Thess.2:7-9.13; Matthew 23:1-12 _Practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do_ (Matt.23:3) Overcoming the scandal of bad examples! In the gospel reading of today, Jesus addressed the crowds and his disciples concerning the scandal of bad examples. This address became so necessary not only because the religious leaders of that time constituted bad examples to the people but also because we will never cease to hear and behold the scandal of bad examples till the end of the world. Bad examples become scandalous when they emanate from the most unsuspecting sources. Most times, these sources are those who ought to be epitome of the ideal; they are those from whom we expect the most; they are those to whom much have been given and from whom so much is expected. When such persons fail to give out what is expected of them, it is shocking; if they are not f...