It is 20th August 2016. We celebrate the memorial of St. Bernard, the Abbot and the Doctor of the Church. The readings are from Ezekiel 43:1-7a and the Gospel from Mt. 23:1-12. The first reading describes the glorious return of God among God’s people more particularly to the temple. God’s glory left the temple when people betrayed God and began to worship the idols and behaved immorally. God desires to return into our lives too when we are able to humble ourselves. Is our personal temple, our most beloved body devoid of immorality and idolatry? God wants to return to God’s home, our lives and to forgive us totally during this year of Mercy. The return of the glory of God is the outward sign that God has forgiven us fully. “I shall live here among the Israelites forever.” (Ez.43:7). The responsorial Psalm sings, “The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.” (Ps.84:10). The Gospel teaches us to prioritize the respect for God, life, our parents, and other fellow human beings. The journey of life we have embarked in humility is more crucial for the easy access to the final destination, the Heaven. We all need a certain amount of recognition, and approval in our lives so as to be normal and healthy. In seeking for our happiness and freedom, we need to become the humble servants and the channels of grace and peace. We need to give honour which is appropriate to God. Christ is the master and teacher for whom we should serve at all times. Greatness comes only by the service we offer. True service focuses on the other’s needs not our own. May we avoid all hypocrisy and pretentions in relating with God and others. May you have a good day.