In the Gospel today, we hear the familiar “woe” that Jesus lays at the feet of the scribes and Pharisees and we can’t help but pile on, right? The scribes and Pharisees are accused by Jesus of seeking positions of honor at banquets and salutations that flatter. They have obtained positions of power and prestige in society and they will do all they can to keep them. And we love how Jesus puts them in their place when he says that all should follow what they say to do, but do not follow their example. “For they preach, but they do not practice”, he says.

It is easy for us to point fingers at the scribes and Pharisees and say, “Yes, you’ve got it all wrong. I totally agree with what Jesus says here.” Fingers pointed away from ourselves… but should or could they be pointed at us for the same reason? Do we practice what we preach? Do we ever exalt ourselves? Humbling ourselves is no fun, who wants to do that? I think there are two important things for us to take away from the readings today.

First, humility. In two of the readings we hear specifically what God and Jesus tells us we need to remember in our interactions with all whom we come in contact with. In the first reading, God speaks through Malachi about how we are to view and interact with one another. He says, “Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us?” We are all God’s children. And in the Gospel, Jesus similarly says, “You are all brothers. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The second important message is closely aligned with humility. Do our action express our faith? Many in society know us as Catholics. But do they know us as Catholics because of what we believe or by what we do and practice? It is easy for people to criticize what we believe, but a lot harder to criticize our actions if they are grounded in humility and directed at our brothers and sisters in need. Our actions speak clearly about what we think is important, and thus people see our faith by what we practice.

So, do we? Do we practice what we preach? Do our actions point to our faith? I asked myself this very question this week and felt like my faith and my actions do not always align, and that didn’t feel good. And then what pops in my lap this week? An opportunity to do just that. To do something for our brothers and sisters that I know God has called us to do.

This week, each parish in the Archdiocese of Boston received a letter from Cardinal Sean making us aware of the growing immigration crisis happening right here in Massachusetts. There are already 7,000 families and over 20,000 people being cared for in state sponsored shelters, many of whom are from warmer climates. He has asked each and every parish to find ways to help with the humanitarian crisis in very specific ways.

First, the immigrants need winter clothing as we are on the cusp of much colder weather. He has asked us to collect new or gently used coats, boots, socks, and clothing for men, women and children of all ages. Clothes that maybe we don’t use any longer or clothes that others could make better use of than we actually do. 

Second, Cardinal Sean asked us also to collect personal hygiene items such as diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, and more. There are now boxes set up inside both of our parishes to collect these items, one box for personal hygiene items and one box for clothing. You can also donate winter clothing at the Saint Vincent de Paul bins in the parking lot. Additionally, a group is collecting strollers for immigrant families too. 

As Jesus said, we are all brothers and sisters, and these brothers and sisters need our help. This is our opportunity to practice what we preach, to show our faith through our actions.