John Desing csc –
Readings: Eph 1: 11-14; Lk 12: 1-7
Jesus in today’s Gospel sternly warns us of falling into the trap of hypocrisy in case we have the attitude of the Pharisees. We are quite familiar with these inscriptions and warnings placed at the gates of some houses saying, “beware of dogs” or “beware, the premises is under CCTV surveillance”. A similar warning is given to the disciples and all of us by Jesus of the danger of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is having a double-standard lifestyle or not practicing what we preach or saying one thing but doing a different thing.
There has to be a certain amount of congruency in what we think, what we say, and what we do. The problem with Pharisees is that they are not genuine, their outward appearances as religious with spectacular garments do not match their inner quality of life. They know that they are sinners, yet they like to appear holy and respectable in the public. And what is the cause of all these hypocritic tendencies? It is fear. The Pharisees fear exposing their true color.
In this regard, Jesus advises us not to fear anyone except God who has the authority over our earthly life and beyond. In the other words, if I am convinced of my value system, I need not fear how others would judge me. We are invited today to become aware of our hypocritic behaviors and let us not be frightened to become a little more transparent, truthful, and genuine. We need not fear losing a reputation for showing our true color than forsaking one’s soul on account of cover-up.