August 26, 2026 // Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32 

Reflect on the Word // 

I stand on the hill overlooking the man-made lake. From this distance the surface shimmers with the sunlight. It is sparkling and beautiful. But as I edge closer, I can see beneath the surface. The weird blueish tint and numerous dead fish. I sigh and think of my own soul. How I shimmer on the outside. How I look prayerful and holy, but interiorly I often feel like this lake. Filled with dead and decaying fish, wrong, artificial, and man-made. I look out to the horizon at a weathered boat. The boat moves slowly as the gentleman inside methodically and gracefully removes the debris. Then he notices me, smiles kindly, and waves. And as he does, I notice the Lord speaking to my heart: “You are made by Me.”

I bristle at the words of our Lord in Matthew 23:27: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.” His words ring in my ears and I chastise myself. I am like those men. I want to appear better than others. I want my holiness to be seen. I am prideful. And I do indeed struggle with all those things. But I don’t stay in that place of discomfort and shame. 

Christ’s love always floods in, a torrent of mercy and truth, and claims me as His. When I allow Him in, when I surrender, when I remember that I am not man-made and therefore I cannot heal myself, our Lord steps into my filth and removes the debris. Slowly and gently because I am weak and He is tender with me. And as He does, His light penetrates the surface and shines deeper and deeper. 

We are often much like the Pharisees. Pretending that sin doesn’t affect us, hardening our hearts, stiffening against the embrace of the Lord because we would rather run and hide. But when we surrender to Him and allow Him to tend to everything within us that is dead, He brings life. 

Relate to the Lord // Where is the Lord bringing life lately? Think about these things today.