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Gospel Reading for August 23, 2025 – Matthew 23: 1-12
PASSIVE
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “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 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.’ 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. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
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The details of how the Pharisees or “separated ones” practiced Judaism makes it look like Jesus was just criticizing them. He had to describe the Pharisees this way so that their followers would not think that what they were doing was right. He had to teach the people the right practice of religion so they may benefit from it. How can one benefit from sheer hypocrisy?
Having a religion or being a baptized Christian is not enough. There are even some groups that claim that by the grace of God and faith in him, we shall be saved. This is true if, by the grace of God, we try our very best to follow Jesus’ way of life and shun evil. This is true if we truly believe that he is God, we are his subjects, and we pledge allegiance to him in every aspect of our life.
Salvation cannot be PASSIVE. We are saved when we repent and change for the better, when we deepen our relationship with God, and when we are thoughtful of the needy around us.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6: 67-69).
