Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 23, 2014 - Saturday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezek 43:1-7ab and Matt 23:1-12,496]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...." [Matt.]
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014 ST. ROSE OF LIMA, O.P.
[Ezekiel 43:1-7ab and 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...." [Matt.]
I am sure that more than a few of us have heard a parent or other authority figure say, "Do as I say, not as I do!" Perhaps that expression finds its roots in Jesus' bitter comment about the religious leadership of his time. The same must have been true later on when Matthew composed his gospel account. Scripture scholars tell us that the bitter words of chapter 23 in Matthew are a collection of comments about the leadership made over the time of Jesus' ministry. Tension between the early Christian community, which was composed of "former" Jews, and the local synagogues was a considerable problem, since the early Christians did not really see themselves as leaving behind their Jewish roots and observances. At the same time, they had adopted Jesus' less rigorous interpretations. The scribes and Pharisees would have objected, but their own example of "getting around" the observances attracted Jesus' scorn and criticism.
In preaching retreats for priests and permanent deacons, I spend some time talking about the challenges of leadership, particularly the dangers of abuse of power. The scribes and Pharisees used their social and religious standing to enrich themselves, and they loved to have the dressings and greetings of power. Priests and deacons must continually be on the lookout for any of this behavior in their leadership. A couple of days ago, Ezekiel thundered against pastors/shepherds who plundered the flock rather than caring for it! [Ezek. 34:1-11]. Jesus was no less scornful of this kind of attitude, and consistently told his disciples that discipleship means service, not rulership!
It can be a very useful spiritual exercise to ask oneself in what ways one is "powerful" and what ways in which one is "powerless." How does one feel about either of those, and what does one do when either feeling arises! Lord Acton's famous line, "Power corrupts..." remains a good way to think about it, but Matthew 23 should make us think long and hard. AMEN
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