Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 26, 2017 - Saturday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 and Matt 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 the things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice." [Matthew]
The twenty-third chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew contains some bitter accusations against the religious leadership of the time. These criticisms are set in the temple and in the time frame of Jesus' last days before his passion. It is important to note that Jesus does not criticize the scribes and Pharisees for being teachers but for failing to live up to their own teaching, which in turn gives bad example to the people for whom they serve. It is also important to note that Jesus addresses his criticism not just to the scribes and Pharisees but as warning to his disciples and "the crowds." The evangelist Matthew has shaped this chapter so that it speaks to the community for which the gospel was written. It also speaks to us here and now.
One of the special targets of Pope Francis' criticism is what we call "clericalism." This usually refers to church leadership, especially bishops and priests, who take advantage of their sacred office to satisfy desires for power and prestige. They can forget that they are called to be "servants" and not "rulers." This is often accompanied by a narrow legalism that emphasizes punishment for infractions of even minor liturgical lapses. However, the lesson extends to anyone who exercises ministry within the community. Authority is granted for the purpose of service and not for ego-inflation or power positions. Jesus' words are not reported by the evangelist for historical interest but for present leaders. AMEN
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