Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - 2nd Week of Lent - Tues
[Isa 1:10, 16-20 and Matt 23:1-12]TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016 TUESDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT [Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 and Matthew 23:1-12] "The greatest among among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." [Matthew] The passage from the Gospel of Matthew today takes place just before Jesus is arrested. If one reads further in the chapter, one can see why he was arrested. He levels a withering condemnation against the religious authorities of his day. He does not question their authority but rather condemns the way they exercise it and manipulate it for their own benefit. "For they preach but they do not practice." It is really a matter of abuse of power. Jesus' attitude toward power is constantly aimed toward humility as a form of power. In the Garden of Gethsemane he refuses resistance on the part of his disciples or even from heaven. He washes the feet of the disciples. He associates with tax collectors and sinners and reaches out to those who are suffering. How can we take Jesus' words to heart? One might ask in what areas one has power at all: parent, employer, pastor, political leader, medical doctor, teacher.....How do we exercise that power for the benefit of those whom we are committed to serve? We have an extraordinary example in Pope Francis' way of exercising the power of the papacy. But even the least position of power has the same responsibility. Lent offers a wonderful opportunity to consider Jesus' example of power and consider our own. AMEN
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