Saturday of the Twentieth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 424
Lectionary: 424
The angel led me to the gate which faces the east,
and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel
coming from the east.
I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,
and the earth shone with his glory.
The vision was like that which I had seen
when he came to destroy the city,
and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.
I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple
by way of the gate which faces the east,
but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The voice said to me:
Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,
this is where I will set the soles of my feet;
here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel
coming from the east.
I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,
and the earth shone with his glory.
The vision was like that which I had seen
when he came to destroy the city,
and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.
I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple
by way of the gate which faces the east,
but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The voice said to me:
Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,
this is where I will set the soles of my feet;
here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12,
13-14
R. (see 10b) The
glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
AlleluiaMT 23:9B, 10B
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 23:1-12
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."
"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."
Meditation: "Whoever humbles oneself will be
exalted"
Who doesn't desire the praise and respect of others?
We want others to see us at our best with all of our strengths and achievements
- rather than at our worst with all of our faults and shortcomings. God sees us
as we truly are - sinners and beggars always in need of his mercy, help, and
guidance. Jesus warned the scribes and Pharisees, the teachers and rulers of
Israel, to teach and serve their people with humility and sincerity rather than
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.
True respect for God inclines us to humble ourselves
and to submit to his wisdom and guidance. We cannot be taught by God unless we
first learn to listen to his word and then obey his instruction.
One Father and Teacher
Was Jesus against calling anyone a rabbi, the Jewish title for a teacher of God's word (Matthew 23:7-8), or a father? The law of Moses in Scripture specifically instructed all fathers to be teachers and instructors for their children to help them understand and obey God's instructions (Deuteronomy 6:7)? Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of the Jewish people, in the presence of his disciples? 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.
Was Jesus against calling anyone a rabbi, the Jewish title for a teacher of God's word (Matthew 23:7-8), or a father? The law of Moses in Scripture specifically instructed all fathers to be teachers and instructors for their children to help them understand and obey God's instructions (Deuteronomy 6:7)? Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of the Jewish people, in the presence of his disciples? 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.
The Scriptures give ample warning about the danger of
self-seeking pride: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). God opposes the proud, but
gives grace to the humble(James 4:6; Proverbs 3:24).
Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD), an early Christian
teacher and bible scholar, reminds those who teach and lead to remember that
they are first and foremost "disciples" and "servants" who
sit at the feet of their Master and Teacher the Lord Jesus Christ:
"You have one teacher, and you are
all brothers to each other...Whoever ministers with the divine word does not
put himself forward to be called teacher, for he knows that when he
performs well it is Christ who is within him. He should only call himself servant according
to the command of Christ, saying, Whoever is greater among you, let him
be the servant of all."
True humility
Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to humility and to simplicity of heart - the willing readiness to seek the one true good who is God himself. What is the nature of true humility and why should we embrace it as essential for our lives? We can easily mistake humility as something demeaning or harmful to our sense of well-being and feeling good about ourselves. True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to all others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves honestly, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4).
Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to humility and to simplicity of heart - the willing readiness to seek the one true good who is God himself. What is the nature of true humility and why should we embrace it as essential for our lives? We can easily mistake humility as something demeaning or harmful to our sense of well-being and feeling good about ourselves. True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to all others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves honestly, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4).
A humble person makes a realistic assessment of
oneself without illusion or pretense to be something one is not. A truly humble
person regards oneself neither smaller nor larger than one truly is. True
humility frees us to be ourselves as God regards us and to avoid falling into
despair and pride. A humble person does not want to wear a mask or put on a
facade in order to look good to others. Such a person is not swayed by
accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure. Do you know the joy
of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other
virtues because it enables us to see and judge correctly, the way God sees.
Humility helps us to be teachable so we can acquire true knowledge, wisdom, and
an honest view of reality. It directs our energy, zeal, and will to give
ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and
serve others willingly and selflessly, for their own sake, rather than for our
own. 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.
"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."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: God is our father and teacher, by
Jerome (347-420 AD)
"No one should be called teacher or father except
God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the Father, because all
things are from him. He alone is the teacher, because through him are made all
things and through him all things are reconciled to God. But one might ask, 'Is
it against this precept when the apostle calls himself the teacher of the
Gentiles? Or when, as in colloquial speech widely found in the monasteries of
Egypt and Palestine, they call each other Father?' Remember this distinction.
It is one thing to be a father or a teacher by nature, another to be so by
generosity. For when we call a man father and reserve the honor of his age, we
may thereby be failing to honor the Author of our own lives. One is rightly
called a teacher only from his association with the true Teacher. I repeat: The
fact that we have one God and one Son of God through nature does not prevent
others from being understood as sons of God by adoption. Similarly this does
not make the terms father and teacher useless or prevent others from being
called father." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON
MATTHEW)
ATURDAY, AUGUST 25, MATTHEW 23:1-12
Weekday
(Ezekiel 43:1-7b; Psalm 85)
Weekday
(Ezekiel 43:1-7b; Psalm 85)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (v. 12).
TO KNOW: Jesus denounced the hypocritical behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. Although he acknowledged that their teaching authority rested on the "chair of Moses" (the "chair of Peter" is a similar term for Church authority), he warned his disciples not to follow the example of those religious leaders. The Pharisees enjoyed their titles of honor, and they liked to call attention to their phylacteries (Hebrew: tefillin) as evidence of their piety. These small leather boxes contained essential passages of the Torah, and were worn on the forehead and on the left arm (closest to the heart) during prayer. The tassels sewn on the corners of their garments (Hebrew: tzi-tzit) were a symbolic reminder to keep the Law of Moses. While the religious leaders demanded obedience to the minute details of the law, their deeds did not always correspond to their words. In contrast, Jesus was a humble servant and faithful teacher of the law of God's love and mercy.
TO LOVE: Are my religious practices motivated by piety or a desire for admiration?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, teach me to imitate your humility as I strive to serve your people.
Optional Memorial of Saint Louis of France
At age 12, Louis IX was crowned as the King of France. Louis bound himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the Jesus, the King of Peace. His mother ruled as regent until he reached age 22. Married at age 19, he was the father of 11 children. Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick and, like his patron Saint Francis, caring even for people with leprosy (He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order). Louis united France—lords and peasants, priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace. Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30, but perhaps he deserves greater credit for his extending justice in civil administration. Louis died on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.
Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph Calasanz,
priest
Joseph Calasanz, a member of the Confraternity for Christian Doctrine, opened a small, free school for poor children, many of them orphans and/or homeless. In 1621 the community was recognized as a religious order called Le Sciole Pie (Religious Schools), also known as the Piarists. Some of the ruling class objected that educating the poor would cause social unrest. Other Orders that worked with the poor were afraid they would be absorbed by the Piarists. In his old age, Joseph saw his Order torn apart. When eighty years old, he was led by the Inquisition as a criminal through the streets of Rome. A papal commission charged with examining the Order acquitted Joseph of all accusations, and in 1645, returned him as superior of the Order. When the struggle within the institute persisted, the Piarists were suppressed. Only after Joseph’s death were they formally recognized as a religious community. The Piarists were restored as a religious order in 1669, and continue their good work today.
Saturday 25
August 2018
Ezekiel 43:1-7. Psalm 84(85):9-14. Matthew 23:1-12.
The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land—Psalm 84(85):9-14.
‘I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the
east.’
Jesus reminds us that what God desires of us is single-minded
devotion. How tempting it is to give God the left-overs – of our time, our
interest, our money, our skills, our heart, our thoughts. We justify it
with ‘life is so busy’. If we are honest, we choose the busyness and we choose
where we place our energy and our time.
Teaching happens most effectively when someone is aware,
listening and open. How can we devote ourselves more fully to God as our
teacher? Quality time, for a start. Ezekiel stood in silence and heard the
voice of God. Are we willing to commit to some silence so that we can truly
listen to God?
Saint Louis IX of France
Saint of the Day for August 25
(April 25, 1214 – August 25, 1270)
 |
| HDR photo of the Apotheosis of St. Louis | Sculpture by C.H. Niehaus |
Saint Louis of France’s Story
At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound himself by
oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord
of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis was
different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of
faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice.
Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army
seized Damietta in Egypt but not long after, weakened by dysentery and without
support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the release of the
army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He
stayed in Syria four years.
Louis deserves credit for extending justice in civil
administration. His regulations for royal officials became the first of a
series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination
of witnesses and encouraged the use of written records in court.
Louis was always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal
interests against the popes, and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence
against Emperor Frederick II.
Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting
the sick, and like his patron Saint Francis, caring even for people with
leprosy. He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order. Louis united
France—lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of
his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace.
Every day, Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to
eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace. During
Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal, and Louis
often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly
relieved, in every province of his dominion.
Disturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria, he led another
crusade in 1267, at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his
brother’s sake. The army was decimated by disease within a month, and Louis
himself died on foreign soil at the age of 56. He was canonized 27 years later.
Reflection
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted
utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was
his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk
of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries,
hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He
hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his
life, his family and his country.
Saint Louis of France is the Patron Saint of:
Barbers
Grooms
Secular Franciscan Order
Grooms
Secular Franciscan Order
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW 23:1-12
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
God our Father,
may we love You in all things and above all things
and reach the joy You have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
may we love You in all things and above all things
and reach the joy You have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) GOSPEL READING - MATTHEW
23:1-12
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."
3) REFLECTION
• Today’s Gospel is part of Jesus’ long
criticism of the scribes and the Pharisees (Mt 23:1-39). Luke and Mark mention
only a few lines of this criticism aimed at the religious heads of the time.
Only the Gospel of Matthew has a longer presentation of this. This very severe
text gives us a glimpse of the polemics which existed in the communities of
Matthew with the communities of the Jews of Galilee and Syria of that time.
• In reading this text, which is strongly critical of the Pharisees, we have to be very careful not to be unfair to the Jewish people. Many Christians, for centuries, have had attitudes against the Jews and, for this reason, engenders attitudes against the Christians. What is important in meditating on these texts is to discover their objective. Jesus condemns the lack of sincerity in the relationship with God and with neighbor. He is speaking about hypocrisy, that of yesterday as well as that of today - of our hypocrisy!
• Matthew 23:1-3: The basic error: they say, but they do not do. Jesus addresses Himself to the multitude and to the disciples and criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees. The reason for attacking them is the disjuncture between their words and their actions. They speak, but they do not do. Jesus recognizes the authority and the knowledge of the scribes: “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses! You must, therefore, do and observe what they tell you, but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they preach.”
• Matthew 23:4-7: The fundamental error is manifested in diverse ways. The fundamental error is hypocrasy: “They say, but they do not do”. Jesus enumerates the points which reveal this. Some scribes and Pharisees imposed heavy laws upon the people. They knew the laws well, but they did not practice them; neither did they use their knowledge to lessen the weight imposed upon the people. They did everything possible to be seen and praised; they wore special tunics for prayer; they liked the first places and to be greeted in the public squares. They wanted to be called “Teacher.” They represented a type of community which maintained, legitimized and nourished the difference of social classes. It legitimized the privileges of the great and the inferior position of the little ones. Now, if there is something which displeases Jesus, it is appearances which deceive.
• Matthew 23:8-12: How to overcome the fundamental error. How should a Christian community be? All the community functions should be assumed as a service: “The greatest among you must be your servant!” You should call nobody teacher (Rabbi), nor father, nor guide; because the community of Jesus has to maintain, legitimize and nourish not the differences, but rather the fraternal spirit. This is the fundamental law: “You are all brothers and sisters!” The fraternal spirit comes from the experience that Jesus is Father, and makes of all of us brothers and sisters. “Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.”
• The group of the Pharisees!The group of the Pharisees was born in the second century before Christ, with the objective of a more perfect observance of the law of God, especially regarding the prescriptions on purity. They were more open to novelty than the Sadducees. For example, they accepted faith in the resurrection and faith in the angels, something which the Sadducees did not accept. The life of the Pharisees was an exemplary witness: they prayed and studied the law for eight hours a day; they worked eight hours in order to be able to survive; they dedicated eight hours to rest. This is the reason why people respected them very much. And in this way, they helped people to keep their own identity and not to lose it, in the course of centuries.
• The so-called Pharisaic mentality. With time, the Pharisees took hold of power and no longer listened to the appeals of the people, nor did they allow them to speak. The word “Pharisee” means “separated”. Their observance was so strict and rigorous that they separated themselves from the rest of the people. This is why they were called “separated”. From this comes the expression “pharisaic mentality”. It is typical of the people who think they can attain justice through the rigid and rigorous observance of the law. Generally, they are people who are afraid, who do not have the courage to assume the risk of liberty and of responsibility. They hide themselves behind the law and authority. When these people obtain an important function, they become harsh and insensitive and indifferent to hide their own imperfection.
• Rabbi, Guide, Teacher, Father. These are four titles that Jesus prohibits people to use. Today, in Church, the priests are called “Father.” Many study in the university of the Church and obtain the title of “Doctor” (Teacher). Many people receive spiritual direction and take advice from people who are called “Spiritual directors” (Guides). What is important is to take into account the reason which impelled Jesus to prohibit the use of these titles. If these were used by people in order to affirm their position of authority and their power, these people would be in error and would be criticized by Jesus. If these titles were used to nourish and deepen fraternal spirit and service, they would not be criticized by Jesus.
• In reading this text, which is strongly critical of the Pharisees, we have to be very careful not to be unfair to the Jewish people. Many Christians, for centuries, have had attitudes against the Jews and, for this reason, engenders attitudes against the Christians. What is important in meditating on these texts is to discover their objective. Jesus condemns the lack of sincerity in the relationship with God and with neighbor. He is speaking about hypocrisy, that of yesterday as well as that of today - of our hypocrisy!
• Matthew 23:1-3: The basic error: they say, but they do not do. Jesus addresses Himself to the multitude and to the disciples and criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees. The reason for attacking them is the disjuncture between their words and their actions. They speak, but they do not do. Jesus recognizes the authority and the knowledge of the scribes: “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses! You must, therefore, do and observe what they tell you, but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they preach.”
• Matthew 23:4-7: The fundamental error is manifested in diverse ways. The fundamental error is hypocrasy: “They say, but they do not do”. Jesus enumerates the points which reveal this. Some scribes and Pharisees imposed heavy laws upon the people. They knew the laws well, but they did not practice them; neither did they use their knowledge to lessen the weight imposed upon the people. They did everything possible to be seen and praised; they wore special tunics for prayer; they liked the first places and to be greeted in the public squares. They wanted to be called “Teacher.” They represented a type of community which maintained, legitimized and nourished the difference of social classes. It legitimized the privileges of the great and the inferior position of the little ones. Now, if there is something which displeases Jesus, it is appearances which deceive.
• Matthew 23:8-12: How to overcome the fundamental error. How should a Christian community be? All the community functions should be assumed as a service: “The greatest among you must be your servant!” You should call nobody teacher (Rabbi), nor father, nor guide; because the community of Jesus has to maintain, legitimize and nourish not the differences, but rather the fraternal spirit. This is the fundamental law: “You are all brothers and sisters!” The fraternal spirit comes from the experience that Jesus is Father, and makes of all of us brothers and sisters. “Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.”
• The group of the Pharisees!The group of the Pharisees was born in the second century before Christ, with the objective of a more perfect observance of the law of God, especially regarding the prescriptions on purity. They were more open to novelty than the Sadducees. For example, they accepted faith in the resurrection and faith in the angels, something which the Sadducees did not accept. The life of the Pharisees was an exemplary witness: they prayed and studied the law for eight hours a day; they worked eight hours in order to be able to survive; they dedicated eight hours to rest. This is the reason why people respected them very much. And in this way, they helped people to keep their own identity and not to lose it, in the course of centuries.
• The so-called Pharisaic mentality. With time, the Pharisees took hold of power and no longer listened to the appeals of the people, nor did they allow them to speak. The word “Pharisee” means “separated”. Their observance was so strict and rigorous that they separated themselves from the rest of the people. This is why they were called “separated”. From this comes the expression “pharisaic mentality”. It is typical of the people who think they can attain justice through the rigid and rigorous observance of the law. Generally, they are people who are afraid, who do not have the courage to assume the risk of liberty and of responsibility. They hide themselves behind the law and authority. When these people obtain an important function, they become harsh and insensitive and indifferent to hide their own imperfection.
• Rabbi, Guide, Teacher, Father. These are four titles that Jesus prohibits people to use. Today, in Church, the priests are called “Father.” Many study in the university of the Church and obtain the title of “Doctor” (Teacher). Many people receive spiritual direction and take advice from people who are called “Spiritual directors” (Guides). What is important is to take into account the reason which impelled Jesus to prohibit the use of these titles. If these were used by people in order to affirm their position of authority and their power, these people would be in error and would be criticized by Jesus. If these titles were used to nourish and deepen fraternal spirit and service, they would not be criticized by Jesus.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• What is my reason for living and
working in community?
• How does the community help me to
correct and to improve my motivations?
• Do you know of people within the
Church who also see themselves as more important or above others because of
their position in the Church? Why is this?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
I am listening.
What is God's message?
Yahweh's message is peace for His people,
for His faithful, if only they renounce their folly. (Ps 85:8)
What is God's message?
Yahweh's message is peace for His people,
for His faithful, if only they renounce their folly. (Ps 85:8)
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