*Note: In this homily I was incorrect in speaking about when St. Augustine was ordained a bishop. It was four years after he was ordained a priest.*

Today's readings are directed mainly at the religious leaders of the day. The prophet Malachi directs his criticism toward those priests who have forgotten the covenant of the Lord, and Jesus addresses those Pharisees and Scribes who are more interested in building themselves up than they are ministering to the sheep entrusted to them. St. Paul gives us a perfect example of what it means to live and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.