Ezekiel 43:1-7a,
Ps 85:9ab and 10.11-12.13-14,
Matthew 23 : 1-12 Full Readings
Am I Pharisaic?
Today's reflection is an invitation to self examination, and examination of our consciences about to what extent are you and me pharisaic. Such reflection will shed light on our hearts and then lead us to a personal decision on the kind or relationship we are to have with God and with our brethren. Through out the gospels we see many traits and characters of the the Pharisees which Jesus challenges radically, but focusing on today's gospel let us see some of them.
"They preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi."
In short, the scribes and Pharisees, the teachers and rulers of Israel, instead teaching and serving their people with humility and sincerity, they did so with pride and self-promotion. They went to great lengths to draw attention to their religious status and practices. In a way they wanted to be good models of observant Jews. "See how well we observe all the ritual rules and regulations of our religion!" In their misguided zeal for religion they sought recognition and honor for themselves rather than for God. They made the practice of their faith a burden rather than a joy for the people they were supposed to serve. These laws were meant to help people flourish, not stifle them on their path to holiness. We can become pharisaical when we impose thoughts or behaviors on others but excuse ourselves from them.
It can be very easy to demand things from others–our children, spouse, coworkers, or acquaintances–while making little excuses for ourselves in the exact same context. We’re being Pharisaical when we do so.“ In fact, it is so easy that looking at what bothers us in others is a great way to see what virtues we need to grow in. How any times we have made laws which only apply to others not to us? How many times have done things not because they from the heart but to seek recognition? Aren't we sometimes preoccupied with acquiring titles and commanding others to call us by our titles while forgetting the service of the people? How many times have we forgotten that the recognition and even the fame we seek is only attained through humility and being a servant of others? Jesus challenges us today, can we take the challenge?
And so Jesus tells us not to call anyone a teacher, a father nor even a rabbi on earth for we have only one teacher and Rabbi, Christ himself, and one Father, God in heaven. Jesus wanted to warn both his own disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek honors and titles that draw attention to ourselves in place of God and his word. Pride tempts us to put ourselves first above others. Christ makes it clear that as soon as we start putting on airs, thinking that we are somehow above others, we’re fooling ourselves. We are allowing our pride or vanity to color our perceptions. Growth in humility doesn’t come through mental acrobatics, by forcing ourselves to think differently, but through real, daily contact with the Lord. When we spend time every day to put ourselves in his presence, and let him show us just how much we depend on him, the way we look at the world and others totally change.
What if our leaders are pharisaic? Jesus clearly says that we are not to be like them and not to follow their example but we have to listen to what they teach us in the name of Jesus and the word they proclaim; “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." Many times some Christians are complaining about their leaders, their parish priests even bishops because of this and this but Jesus today tells us not to fall in their malice but listen to what they only preach in the name of Jesus. We are not judges to judge them but in our humility let us pray for them that they may practice what they preach.
How then can we avoid being pharisaic? Through humility. Humility is like exercise. No one likes it (at first), but everyone needs more of it. The best way to become humble is to ask God for the grace, and then start trying. How? Padre Pio offers some great advice for practicing humility: “We must humble ourselves on seeing how little self-control we have and how much we love comfort and rest. Always keep Jesus before your gaze; He did not come to rest nor to be comfortable either in spiritual or temporal matters, but to fight, to mortify himself and to die.“ Paul the Apostle gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and... who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). Do you want to be a servant as Jesus loved and served others? The Lord Jesus gives us his heart - the heart of a servant who seeks the good of others and puts their interests first in his care and concern for them.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be humble as you are humble and to love others generously with selfless service and kindness. Amen
Be blessed
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