A reflection on Matthew 23:27-32 and Romans 8:19-23
Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!
Matthew 23:27-32
Woes of the Pharisees
The “Woes of the Pharisees” can be traced back to pre-Abrahamic, protohistorical roots in Cain (Matthew 23:35) and thus address the whole human race that has lost its simplicity.
The earth itself has become a tomb on account of the first murder.
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” God then said: What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! Now you are banned from the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
Genesis 4:8-11
The Cry of the God-Man-Earth
The cry of the earth and the cry of God go hand in hand. Adam and his progeny are at the center of the drama, which climaxes in the cry of the God-man-earth on the Cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). When Christ gave up his spirit, the Gospel of Matthew reports:
The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
Matthew 27:51b-53
Creation Groans
All creatures look to Christ and his saints to lead them into the Promised Land.
For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:19-23
Whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones!
Change your heart, for the whole earth groans!
Traditional Chinese Translation
《粉飾的墳墓》
粉飾的墳墓裝滿了死人的骨頭!
你的心靈需要改變，因為全地都在嘆息！
“Sometimes being certain clouds our vision. We hide behind certainty, so we don’t need to see. Mostly we don’t want to peer within. Tombs were whitewashed by the Israelites so that people would not accidentally risk impurity by brushing up against the dead. The white stones alert the passerby. But to neglect our soul is the greater danger.”
https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-27-2025
Enter an ossuary,
filled with skeleton remains.
Would you want to spend the night?
I’d prefer to sleep outside on earth,
Gazing at the stars.
Whitewashed tombs of the dead,
were painted bright on outside,
warning Jews,” Do not enter.”
Contact with the dead was forbidden.
If one entered a dark cave tomb,
one could brush against bones.
Woe to those people who did.
Ritual cleansing was required,
When contamination occurred.
We are blessed to accompany à loved one in last moments of earthly life.
Holding the hand of a dying person until death and even some minutes afterwards while we pray is a gift.
May the Angels escort those dying today to the loving embrace of God.
Through the Son of God, death is an entrance
Out of the tomb into Abba’s presence.