31A23.   Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10.  The Jewish priests were not remaining faithful to the Torah and were leading the people away from the practice of true Judaism.  The Lord says to them for their infidelity: “I will send a curse upon you.”

Matthew 23:1-12.   The scribes and the Pharisees had the position of religious authority.  So Jesus says, “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.  For they preach but they do not practice.”  They used the Jewish religion for their own personal advantage and not to promote the love of God and neighbor.  Make of God your only true religious authority.  Serve him alone. Stand humbly before him as his servant and God will see you as righteous in his sight.

1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13.  Paul reaches out to the Thessalonians with a love from the depths of his heart.  The fullness of love is giving not only some things that we have but giving one’s very self.  Through Paul and his companions God gave his very self to the Thessalonians.  The word or gospel of God that they received was presence of God working in their hearts.