Today’s readings are about one word – Integrity. Integrity is defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” In other words, integrity is being honest and doing the right thing, even if it that “right thing” is unpopular, uncomfortable, or not what you want to do. This is really what Christ’s teachings throughout the Gospels are all about, but especially today’s reading. Jesus states:
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who 
is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.
It’s about saying one thing, and doing another. Its about going to Mass, but then speeding out of the church parking lot and cussing out those people who get in your way. So many times we talk and even teach about doing the right thing, but then we go ahead and do the opposite. Or as the old saying goes, “Do as I say, and not as I do,” right? The world is full of this. Preaching the gospel, but bowing to greed and power. As Christ continued to say:
“No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
This is not a new problem. This problem has been around since the dawn of humanity. Do we take the high road, and not only say the right thing, but do it as well? Or do we put up a facade and an act in front of others, trying to project a moral image all while thinking the opposite? This is what Christ was saying to the Pharisees, and it’s what He continues to say to us in the scripture today:
“You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
We cannot put up a facade in front of God. He sees into our hearts. He knows where our true thoughts lie, what our desires are, and we cannot hide it from Him. So why do we try? We cannot be perfect, but why do we try to think we can hide our thoughts and sins from God? Why do we think that He won’t see our true hearts? And why do we think that if we go to Mass, say some prayers every day, serve those in need, and perform other acts of service, but still give into temptation and our selfish desires and vices, that He won’t notice? God knows. Integrity is not only doing the right thing, but also meaning it. You have to be sincere and honest in your actions, and have no interior motives. You must do things for the love and respect of others, and especially of God, no matter the situation.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians today that:
“for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”
Paul had steadfast integrity and faith in Christ, no matter the situation he was in or the people he was with. Whether it was the wealthy, the poor, or whether he was with the powerful or the weak, Paul knew that his resolute faith in Christ and the integrity to do what was right was first and foremost. He knew how to live and do Christ’s will in any situation regardless of the outcome, was the right way to live. And he never let life’s ups and downs affect his attitude or his way of thinking. Paul had clarity of thought and integrity of action in everything he did, no matter the situation, and that is exactly how he lived, and he challenges us to do the same.
There are so many challenges in today’s world, so many temptations, and so many ways to stray from Christ’s path. It is so easy to get distracted and give in to our troubles, thinking that one little slip-up, or one little cheat here or there won’t hurt a thing. But there is also a lot of good. Most of us are very fortunate in where we live, and the things we have, and the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Integrity isn’t only doing the right thing when the going is tough, but it’s also doing the right thing when life is going well. How do we handle success? Do we get complacent and full of pride? Many times a measure of a person is not how they act when things are going bad, but how they handle success.
Paul challenges us to stay focused on Christ and His way in good times and in bad. This will make life a lot more bearable. It is important that no matter the situation in our lives, how bad or how well things are going, that we stay humble and devoted to Christ and diligently embrace our faith and continuously seek His grace through the sacraments. Its not Gods will that defines where we are at in life, its that we are to do God’s will no matter where we are at in life. God see’s into our hearts, and knows what our true desires are. Why not open up our hearts and fill them with love and His grace, and let our actions be filled with the integrity to do what is right.
