Memorial of Saint Monica

But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men, for you yourselves do not enter in; and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.

Woe to you blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple, is a debtor. Ye foolish and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, is a debtor. Ye blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things that are upon it:

And whosoever shall swear by temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth in it: And he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Matthew 23:13-22 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father this reading was by far a warning to keep ourselves from becoming hypocrites as those who are written about. Do we lead others to God or make them children of hell? Have I attempted to give the kingdom of God to another for the sole purpose of building up God house. Have I set another astray to go against God's kingdom because of my own hidden desires that will take the very soul from another. Do I dear Father do what is asked of me by you? You are all that is Holy and trustworthy, yet we attempt to devour you and misaligned you. We desecrate your dwelling for our own folly, we forget how Holy and Sacred your Temple is. We mock the very dwelling by our sinfulness. We enter with evil upon our hearts, never once seeking forgiveness, but causing another to know your dwelling is not Sacred but a playground. Oh dear Father we have on occasion turned your house of prayer into a play land for the evil one. May we join in prayer and bring ourselves closer to God. May we seek reconciliation and turn ourselves away from what is not of God. Make my heart ever yours dear Father that I may do your will. Amen