Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Is 1: 10, 16-20; Mt 23: 1-12
The Gospel passage of the day tells us that Jesus was critical toward the Pharisees who were hypocrites in their life. This relates to their legalistic approach to the law that is detrimental to humanity. In saying this Jesus wanted the Pharisees to introspect and see how genuine they were in observing the laws and external religious rituals.
Those who were given the Moses’ seat were qualified people in the land and were responsible to teach and guide the people to live according to experience God’s blessing all the days of their life. So, the people were asked to follow the instructions but not to imitate their example.
Jesus as a Jew has heard and witnessed the abuse of Moses’ seat by those in power, forgetting their actual responsibility and the purpose of the seat. This kind of attitude is still common among us as well and that is the danger of falling into a trap of popularity and power.
So, Jesus strongly warned his disciples not to fall into the temptation of seeking titles at the expense of God’s purpose and not to put any human authority above God. God alone is to be esteemed and if anyone exalts himself or herself will be brought low.
Mt 18:3-4 makes it clear that there is no place for anyone in God’s presence unless we possess the quality of a little child. So, let us put aside all that tempts us to put ourselves above others. Let our humility, poverty, patience, and obedience be the living testimonies of Christ. Let us speak them aloud through our actions.