The gospel reading contains the second woe against the Pharisees and the lawyers. Their attitude towards Jesus reflects the stance which their forefathers took towards the prophets as they refused to listen to Jesus.

Jesus' warning indicates that unless this generation repents, they will be charged with the accumulated responsibility for the killing of all the prophets. The paradox of the lawyers' misery is that even though they have the keys to enter the house of God's wisdom (Prov.9:1), they do not enter it nor allow others to do so.

This is a reminder to us that we can easily fall victims to externalism and legalism in religion. Like the Pharisees we have the tendency to consider religion merely in terms of external observance of laws. Jesus wanted us to have self-knowledge so as to live the will of God. It is said that a true believer seeks to do good while a legalist / lawyer seeks to avoid evil (v.42).

This message is reiterated in the first reading wherein St. Paul said in vs. 27 & 28, that justification is not based on keeping the law but through faith which is a gift from God.

St Teresa of Avila, whose feast we remember today, submitted herself to God's will whole-heartedly despite struggles and difficulties.