Ord.Wk 20th: Saturday 20th August, 2022 August 20, 2022
Reflection on the WORD
Words and Deeds – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims, “You must listen to the scribes and Pharisees, but not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they preach. Ponder on: Do we live a superficial faith that ‘professes our great love for God, but our deeds reveal our lives to be self-centred and self-gratifying?
Matthew 23:1-3, 8-12
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •At times we get upset with people e.g. spouse, friends, priests, politicians, etc. who do “not practise what they preach.” We are upset because we believe that everyone should be sincere in what they say.
- •Spend some moments reflecting on what Jesus said, “Do and observe what they tell you, but do not be guided by what they do.”
- •If we are humble enough we will not only see how Jesus is not judgmental of people, but also He is reminding us to be aware of our own imperfections and inconsistencies in what we say.