Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to 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.”
Being transparent
1. They tie up heavy burdens. This accusation was made by Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees. Today he could say this about you when you impose your own wishes and make demands, looking for a way to do only what you want to be done. This can even happen in friendship, when a person who claims to be your friend calls you to get together only when they have a problem, but solely for that purpose. It might happen in a couple, when they only talk about economic issues and what they have to pay, but they don’t listen to one another’s feelings. It’s a relationship based only on demands and not being open to dialogue. In our Christian life we might fall into this by being imposing and by being too demanding or strict when we expect people to comply with a norm. We might believe that we’re always right and that we own the truth.
2. Their works are performed to be seen. This is one of the points that concerns us today. There is too much narcissism, and that leads us to do even the tiniest actions so that the world can see us, applaud us, love us. Just look at Instagram or Facebook and you’ll see that some people have turned their life into a selfie. We must remember what Jesus said, “do not let your left hand know what your right is doing”. Today let’s do what we must do with love, but let’s not seek to expose our actions to everyone. The most beautiful flowers grow in silence, and Christians are called to do help others in silence. There is a great difference to consider: people who help others for the love of God, do it from the heart, without thinking of their own benefit and without publishing it everywhere. Those who act out of narcissism, do it with the intention of benefitting themselves, taking advantage of others, and showing off.
3. God is your Father. Once I told a holy man that I had to undertake an important responsibility, and that I was frightened because I didn’t know what I was going to have to face. He said to me, “My son, what are you afraid of? You are a child of God”. That encouraged me a lot and I always remember it. Don’t be afraid, because your Father God is always there, loving you infinitely and taking care of you. Don’t be afraid and face whatever comes your way. You are not alone.
Always remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and guard you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
