Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees

Today's Reflections

Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees 

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Mt 23:1-12

¹Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, ²saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. ³Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. ⁴They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. ⁵All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. ⁶They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, ⁷greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ ⁸As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. ¹⁰Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. ¹¹The greatest among you must be your servant. ¹²Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection:

Do not follow their example. Jesus denounces the attitudes and behavior of the Pharisees that are in contrast to his. He comes to serve and to liberate while they place burdens on people without helping them. He humbles himself while they love places of honor. They are conscious of their positions, status, privileges. They long for proper greetings and titles.

Jesus asks his listeners to obey what the Pharisees and scribes teach. Despite their bad example, Jesus respects their position and acknowledges their authority. Still, because they preach but do not practice, people should not follow their example.

Do we act just to draw the attention of people to ourselves?

Are we willing to work in the background so that,

seeing our good works, people will glorify God and not us?