ST MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE, FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, OCTOBER 16, 2026
Gospel
At that time:So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doorswill be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
REFLECTION
“Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees."
Every Sunday, I made a fresh loaf of bread, and we eagerly looked forward to eating it warm from the oven with melted butter.
One Sunday, however, something went wrong. Maybe I was a little heavy-handed with the yeast, maybe I overproofed it, or simply let it rise too long. Whatever happened, I ended up with what I called “muffin-top bread”—the dough had risen far beyond where it was supposed to go!
In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the metaphor of "leaven" to both warn and reassure us. He warns us about “the leaven of the Pharisees,” which is hypocrisy.
A little yeast can go a long way. Just as a small amount of yeast spreads through the entire batch of dough, hypocrisy can quietly spread through a person’s heart or even through a community.
Everything we do—or fail to do—can teach us a spiritual lesson.
A little insincerity, unkindness, lying, cheating, resentment, envy, jealousy, greed, or sloth can slowly affect our entire spiritual life. We may appear faithful on the outside while resentment, pride, fear, and selfishness are already affecting our hearts and the people around us.
Jesus reminds us that nothing is hidden from Him. He sees beyond appearances and knows the truth of our hearts.
Yet this is also where His reassurance begins.
In December 1673, Jesus began appearing to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, revealing the extraordinary love of His Sacred Heart and asking that this love be made known. In 1674, He asked for acts of reparation, including frequent Communion, First Friday Communion, and the Holy Hour.
Then, in June 1675, during what became known as the “Great Apparition,” Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart and asked for a special feast of reparation in honor of His Heart.
What a beautiful reminder: the God who sees everything within us is also the God who loves us completely.
He does not reveal our weaknesses in order to condemn us, but to draw us closer to His merciful Heart.
Please visit the videos from our Purgatory Seminar here to better understand God’s immense love and mercy for us.
May we live with honesty, humility, and confidence in His love.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like Yours.
Thank you!!!🙏