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Gospel Reading for March 18, 2025 – Matthew 23: 1-12
SHEER FOLLY
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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What Jesus is saying is applicable to all of us today – to pastors, lay leaders, catechists, teachers, government officials, parents, and all of us who teach others to do what is good but are unable to do ourselves. When the things we do, especially in public, is just for show or for a “photo op” or when we have this need to be acknowledged, to be honored and looked up to, Jesus is talking about us.
Why is Jesus talking about this? Because it is SHEER FOLLY and SHEER WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT to pretend to be good. We will never benefit from it. Real goodness emanates from our heart, our whole being, it is the divine in us that tends to come out of us and reach out to others, and not towards ourselves.
This Lenten Season, let us allow the Spirit to purify our thoughts and intentions so we may choose to be among the humble who will be exalted only in God’s presence!
