Reflection

Gospel

Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have been sitting on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do you not; for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them.

And all their works they do is to be seen by men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes.

And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues,

And salutations in the marketplace, and to be called by men, Rabbi.

But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren. And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.

Neither be you called masters; for one is your master, Christ. He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.                  Matthew 23: 1-12

Reflection

In this gospel reading, there are three salient points that we must reflect profoundly in our life. One is when he said “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practise what they preach. This kind of attitude is still common to us that is why we often hear this saying ‘walk the talk’. With this, may we be reminded always that the word is alive when it is our actions that speak. 

Second one is “They love places of honour at banquets, seats of honour in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation Rabbi”. This is the danger of falling into a trap of popularity, power, fortune and other forms of achievements often they called it a ‘maze haze attitude’. This simply means as people who are blinded/clouded by praises and in the end, they even lost their sense of identity and become self-righteous. 

Thus the 3rd point Jesus tells his disciples with these words “As for you, do not be called Rabbi. You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.” Jesus wanted to warn both his own disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek honours and titles that draw attention to ourselves in place of God and his word. Pride tempts us to put ourselves first above others. The message of our gospel today teaches us to serve the people with humility and sincerity rather than with pride and self-promotion. Let our words be the living testimonies of Christ and these are humility, poverty, patience and obedience. We speak them when we show them to others.

Julie Leonard Religious Education Leader/Wellbeing Leader