Daily Reflections- August 25, 2012

A WAKE -UP CALL

FOR THE PHARISEES AND FOR US

 

We are on a weekend today, but we are at the beginning of Matthew chapter 23 in our Gospel reading. It’s a difficult chapter. In it, Jesus denounces and rebukes the scribes and Pharisees, most especially for their religious hypocrisy and pride.

The opening verse is very telling. Given the unfortunate split between the teaching and the practice of the scribes and Pharisees, between their words and their actions, Jesus’ advice to His disciples is but logical and understandable (“But do not follow their example”). But certainly Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to expose the anomalies of the scribes and Pharisees: their cruel imposition of the law upon others, their ostentatiousness, and their self-conceit. Finally, as a sort of spinoff to Jesus’ tirades, He also gives admonitions to His listeners. “Avoid the title ‘Rabbi.’ ... Do not call anyone on earth your father... Avoid being called teachers....”

Literally adhering to these may not be that necessary, as they are typical overstatements of Jesus’ time. But the spirit behind Christ’s giving them is clear. Humility, as a most fundamental virtue, is essential in our life.

Leaders and preachers among us might be more vulnerable or prone to those pharisaical attitudes and behaviors denounced by Jesus. But let it  also serve as a warning to each and all of us. The gap between what we say and what we do, our penchant for exterior form at the expense of inner substance, and our ever-present pride and egoism —these are all very real pitfalls for each of us if we are not careful.

Let us thank our Lord for the timely wake-up call. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do your actions match your words? Do your religious practices bring out the best in you?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for this wake-up call. Help me to be sincere always in whatever I say and do.