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Beneath the Surface

Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18

We instruct you, brothers and sisters,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to shun any brother
who walks in a disorderly way
and not according to the tradition they received from us.
For you know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked,
so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that
if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.

May the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.

This greeting is in my own hand, Paul’s.
This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5

R. (1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Alleluia 1 John 2:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 23:27-32

Jesus said,
“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.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous,
but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the memorials of the righteous,
and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,
we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
Thus you bear witness against yourselves
that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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.

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About Léa Bowler

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Leana Bowler est une épouse et mère de cinq petits. Elle est une passionnée du Saint Rosaire avec une profonde dévotion au Sacré-Cœur de Jésus et au Cœur Immaculé de Marie. Son amour pour le message de la Miséricorde Divine l'a amenée à devenir Missionnaire Mariale de la Miséricorde Divine. Elle aime les miracles de la vie de famille, le café fort et rencontrer les autres dans ce voyage vers la sainteté. Elle a contribué à And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women .