Life As the Whitewashed Tomb

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty First Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 23:27-32*

*First Reading : 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps. 128:1-2, 4-5*

*Life As the Whitewashed Tomb*

*1) The Reality of the Whitewashed Tomb*

All of us are very familiar with the whitewashed tombs

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the whitewashed tombs in the context of the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees 

As Jesus says, whitewashed tombs appear beautiful from out side. But from inside the bones and filth is found 

This is the reality of the whitewashed tombs 

*2) Reasons behind whitewashed tombs*

First of all to identify the tombs 

Secondly, to cover all the filth and the foul smell. So that unpleasant things can be covered 

Thirdly to remember the persons who have dead and gone 

*3) Duel standard of whitewashed tomb*

Whitewashed tomb is used as one of the best examples by Jesus to show the hypocrisy of scribes and Pharisees 

From out side they are attractive, colourful, gives a soothing feeling and creates a great feeling 

But in actuality, inside there are lots of unwanted, waste, dry bones are found. 

No one likes remain inside of the tomb, because of the fear, bad smell, darkness and the negativity involved in it. 

So dual standards are very clear in the whitewashed tomb

*4) Inside is more important not out side*

The tomb has existence because of the things which are inside. 

If the inside things are absent then the tomb does not exist 

Since inside things are important one should pay attention to inside things but not the outside things 

With regard to tomb, inside things like bones and  bad smell goes along with the nature. But not with the life 

*5)  Life as Whitewashed Tomb*

The whole focus of Jesus' discussion on whitewashed tomb is to teach a profound lesson on hypocrisy 

Making our life is like whitewashed tomb is the biggest tragedy of life 

We have many beautiful and spiritual images which can be applied to our life. One such example would be mustard seed 

To compare life to a whitewashed tomb is the last and worst thing that can happen to our life 

*6) No Growth in whitewashed tomb*

No growth whatsoever in the whitewashed tomb

Only decay and dead things are found. Nothing grows there. 

When life becomes whitewashed tomb, it looks beautiful only from outside but inside no growth, but decay and dead things are found 

*7) What is the image of my life?*

Jesus called the life of scribes and Pharisees as whitewashed tomb

What about my life? What he will call about my life? 

Will he call it as dead sea? 

Will he call it as house built on the sand? 

Will he call it as dirty cup from inside? 

Will he call it as, rocky ground? 

Will he call it as lamp stand?

Will he call it as Yeast?

Will he call it as salt of the earth?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*