Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 - Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
[Isaiah: 1:10, 16-20 and Matthew 23:1-12]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.
There is an old Latin expression, "Corruptio optimi, pessima!" (The corruption of the best is the worst.) No doubt there is some of that expression in the criticism that Jesus levels at the scribes and Pharisees. They hold a trusted position as the guardians of a sacred tradition. But they are a disgrace to the position by their corrupt desire for power and prestige. Jesus concedes their place on the seat of Moses, but makes it clear that they are unworthy. Centuries later, Lord Acton would supply another way of describing the problem: "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely!" The history of power is filled with this problem. Our church is certainly not exempt from the problem as anyone familiar with the history of the papacy or even with the history of their local diocese or parish would know. And politics is probably one of the worst environments for this corruption. Scandal after scandal erupts from governmental circles. Jesus proposes the only attitude that protects against this tendency: "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself with be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Purification of one's motives for service is a constant process. The opportunity for self-exaltation is ever present. Only a service undertaken out of love for others will suffice. Otherwise abuse is a certainty! AMEN
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