Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 21st week in ordinary time, August 25, 2026

Delivered by Ariel from the Parish of Saint Albert the Great in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3a.13b-17; Rs psalm 96: 10.11-12a.12b-13; Matthew 23: 23-26.THREE CROWNS WORN AT ONCE Our meditation today has the theme: Three Crowns Wornat Once. There was only one crown of thorns put on the head of Jesus, the onlyone royal crown on the head of a king, and the only crown for the winner in thebeauty world contests. However, there are three crowns being used at once,which are the crowns given to every follower of Christ to signify theirbelongingness to the Lord Jesus Christ. In today's first reading, Saint Paul was very pleasedand grateful for the growing in faith of the Thessalonians. This community ofbelievers had received baptism in the Holy Spirit in which they wereconsecrated with sanctifying grace that conceived three crowns, namely the giftof faith, works of love and perseverance of hope before God and all His powers.Faith, love and hope are the three basic virtues that one receives through thebaptism of the Holy Spirit. Our life journey in this world as faithful believersis actually guided by the light of these three virtues. The path of faithassures us of the greatness and glory of God, who does everything possible,even to unbelievable act such as to move a mountain to another place. Throughfaith we ensure that God is always with us and leads our lives in every timeand place. The work of love is to show how we love our neighborsin the world in the name of the Lord. This act of love can overcome the sinsthat we have committed. This proves to us that love never fails in its work.Through hope, we are able to withstand various challenges, difficulties,sufferings and a willingness to repent and become renewed. Living with hopemeans that we look ahead to the happiness and perfection which is our ultimategoal. The Lord Jesus Christ, our king and teacher, is our main standard and He is our source ofhappiness. When faith is not strong enough and tends to decline, it is to Jesusto whom we ask for its strength. If our expressions of love do not bring goodresults because they are merely words and promises, we must ask Jesus for theireffectivities. And if we are weak in hope or we easily give up in our life'sstruggles, we must ask Jesus for His assistance. If we want to grow healthy in these gifts of the threecrowns, then we should be able to avoid the behavior and mentality of thehypocrites and oppressors like that of the Pharisees and scribes. We do notwant to be rebuked by Jesus with a harsh statement such as this: "Woe toyou!" On the other hand, through the empowerment of these three crowns, wehope we will obtain what Jesus always said in His teaching, that we will becomeperfect like the heavenly Father who is ever perfect. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, we ask for Your blessing so thatour lives will always be under the light of faith, love and hope in everymoment of our lives. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...