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:

They preach but they do not practice. There is a time for everything: a time for tender love and a time for tough love. Jesus more often shows tender love, as when he heals the sick, forgives sins, encourages people, or invites them to come to him and learn from him because he is meek and humble of heart. But Jesus can also show tough love, as when he drives away the buyers and sellers at the temple.

In the Gospel, Jesus shows tough love when he severely criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees. But tough love is still true love. Jesus verbally lashes out at these religious leaders to bring them to their senses and awaken them from their complacency.

Be ready not only for tender love

but also for tough love from Jesus.