A Warning for the ‘Good‘ People

This Mass is directed to the “good people.” We are warned not to presume upon the benefits God has given us. Even the religious life is not a safeguard. A priest or religious, who deprives himself of so much in life, can easily lose his soul because of the perversity of his mind, malice of his will, or the hardness of his heart.

We face temptations from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Even when a temptation is overcome, the devil will often use it as a means to worry and distract us. However, temptations are not sins, but rather opportunities for merit. We receive a reward in the measure that we lovingly express our desire for the virtue against which we are tempted. Temptations are often allowed to humble us and as punishments for our sins. Sometimes they are permitted to strengthen us in the virtues we already possess. Temptations in this case are a sign of love from God. He does not desire the death of the sinner, which is why He never allows temptations beyond our endurance. The temptations we are sent only feel great because our love is small.

In the Gospel account we see Our Lord weep over the rejection of the love He offered His people, and we see Him strike out in righteous anger against those abusing the things of God. Religious will be punished if they use house of God for their own glory.