Leaders have a social and religious responsibility!

February 27, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Daily Readings: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1–12

The type of people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah in Abraham’s time continue to live in every era, including ours. During Isaiah's time, the Lord God addressed the people, asking them to listen to Him and His teachings. God abhors and strongly opposes the Judaism that the people of Judah practice (Isa 1:10–15). In vv. 16–17, the Lord God outlines His expectations for these people in terms of justice and righteousness.

In vv. 18–20, He invites them into His chambers to offer them a deal that will help them escape God’s wrath. God’s patience, too, has a limit. He wouldn’t mind punishing them if they didn’t adhere to Him through their willingness and obedience. His teaching is very clear: remain clean, shun evil, learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow. The Psalmist compliments these sentiments of God in his response to the Responsorial Psalm: "To the upright, I will show the saving power of God."

Human beings in general need a word of appreciation and a pat on the back. It is indeed deplorable when someone overdoes it, like the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' time, who always seek attention. They do not attempt to attract attention by enlarging their phylacteries and lengthening their fringes. They relish being called rabbis and fathers, receiving greetings in public places, and occupying the place of honor in banquet halls and synagogues. Jesus warns his listeners to follow their teachings but not live like them. One has to teach with word and deed. The content of a sermon is as important as one's lifestyle. It is a good lesson for those who have the roles of teachers, guides, and mentors to be aware of their social and religious responsibilities.

Holy Mother Church honors St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, a confessor of the Passionist Congregation. He was a great devotee of our Blessed Mother. He followed the Passionist rule with fervor. He is the chief patron of Catholic youth, students, and those studying for the priesthood.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: Humans are not mere flesh; there is a soul to care for. The more we care about it, the more qualitative our lives will become.