The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are quite strong. He tells the Pharisees: You are very careful about the little details of religion, but you forget the more important things—justice and the love of God.
Jesus is not saying that religious practices are useless. We need prayer. We need the Mass. The Rosary, novenas, processions, and our many devotions are beautiful.
But Jesus is asking us something deeper: After all our prayers, what is happening to our hearts?
Because it is possible to finish the Rosary and still gossip about someone. We can attend Mass and become angry with someone in the parking lot immediately afterward. We can post, “God is good all the time,” and five minutes later post something that destroys another person’s reputation!
Sometimes perhaps the Lord is asking us, “You pray so much—but where is the love?” The more we pray, the more loving we should become.
But there is another part of the Gospel that touches me deeply. Jesus says: “You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”
This is a powerful examination of conscience, especially for those of us who have authority—for bishops and priests, parents, teachers, employers, government officials, and community leaders.
We should ask ourselves: Does my presence make people’s burdens lighter—or heavier?
Because many people are already carrying something. The person beside you may be worried about money. Someone may have problems in the family. Someone may be sick. Someone may be grieving. Someone may look perfectly fine but, deep inside, is already very tired.
And sometimes they don’t need another lecture. They don’t need another judgment. They simply need somebody to say, “I am here. Let me help you.”
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There is a simple story of a little boy walking with his father. The boy was carrying a heavy bag. After some time he said, “Papa, it is too heavy.”
His father did not say, “Be strong! You can handle it!”
Instead, the father took part of the load and said, “Come. We will carry it together.”
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My dear friends, perhaps that is the invitation of Jesus today. There are already enough burdens in this world. Let us not add to them. Instead, through our kindness, patience, forgiveness, and compassion, let us help someone carry the load.
And perhaps tonight, because of us, someone will quietly say: “Thank you, Lord. You made my burden a little lighter through this person.”
That is faith becoming love. And perhaps that is one of the most beautiful signs that our prayer is real: people find their burdens a little lighter because we are there.