Aug 25 – Memorial for St. Louis of France, married man; Memorial for St. Joseph Calasanz, priest, religious founder
As king of France, Louis (1214-1270) made numerous judicial and legislative reforms. He promoted Christianity in France; established religious foundations, aided mendicant orders, propagated synodal decrees of the Church, built leper hospitals, and collected relics.
“In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God’s benefits and so offend him.” – St. Louis IX
St. Joseph Calasanz (1556-1648) and two fellow priests opened a small, free school for poor children. He was supervising several teachers and hundreds of students. When the school moved to larger quarters, the teaching priests were reorganised into a community recognised as a religious order called Le Sciole Pie (Religious Schools), also known as the Piarists, or Scolopii or Ordo Clericorum Regularium Pauperum Matris Dei Scholarum Piarum or Order of Poor Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools; Joseph acted as superior of the Order.
The community encountered many obstacles. It was dissolved, then reorganised after Joseph’s death. They were restored as a religious order in 1669, and continue their good work today.
- Patron Saint Index
2 Ths 2:1-3,14-17
Mt 23:23-26
“You who pay for your tithe…and have neglected the weightier matters of the law — justice and mercy and good faith!”
Peace be with you, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today’s Gospel reading is filled with so much truth and wisdom to unpack. Jesus did not mince words here, delivering these passages with wit, hyperbole, and sharp honesty.
As I read and reread Matthew 23:23–26, one verse stood out: “You blind guides! Straining out gnats and swallowing camels!” (Matthew 23:24). According to Jewish law, both gnats and camels were considered unclean animals. Pious Jews would strain gnats out of liquids like wine to avoid unknowingly consuming them — such was their attention to the minutiae of the law. Yet, they would swallow a camel?
Jesus used humour and wit to drive his point home to those listening. The scribes and Pharisees spared no detail in adhering to the law, judging harshly those who could not do the same. Yet, they failed to practice love and mercy, which are the true fulfilment of the law. As Scripture reminds us; He wants our mercy: “For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)
“…I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
I had an encounter last year that sprung to mind when I read this. I was in church after mass, sitting in the pews, having a quiet serious conversation with a fellow parishioner when an elderly lady came and corrected my seating posture. As a new convert, I was unaware that crossing my legs in church was considered inappropriate. Perhaps she did not realise our conversation was of a serious nature, but I wonder; was she straining the gnat? I am sure she meant well (as they often do) but perhaps a little kindness, sensitivity and restraint would have been a better prescription.
Often, we focus on the external habits because it’s easier to uncross one’s leg than to practise charity and mercy. I was reminded that I, too, am a Pharisee in different situations. My son does not take any pride in his appearance, often even forgetting to comb his hair. This irks me no end and I berate him for it; yet forgetting that he does well in school, is kind to people and spends time with his grandmother fairly willingly. I focus on the gnat and overlook the far weightier virtues already growing within him.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Woe to all of us indeed; Jesus warns us twice in this passage alone. Let us not ‘neglect the weightier matters of the law — justice and mercy and faith’ and yet ‘without neglecting the others.’ It’s not either/or; it’s both.
Living this out is a challenge, and we will all struggle and fail at times in our earthly lives. In those moments, may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father — who loves us – and, through grace, gives us eternal comfort and good hope; comfort our hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Julia Lim)
Prayer: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loves us and by his grace gives us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage our hearts and strengthen us in every good deed and word.
Thanksgiving: Jesus, thank you for even giving me the words of prayer, for your direct honesty and sense of humour. You show me the Bible is your living word, Lord, and how all I need to hear you is listen.
OXYGEN 
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