Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - 2nd Week of Lent - Tues
[Isa 1:10, 16-20 and Matt 23:1-12]TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018 TUESDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT [Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 and Matthew 23:1-12] "The scribes and 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....The greatest among you must be your servant." [Matthew] The Gospel According to Matthew was probably composed not long after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Jewish community was in disarray and many were living elsewhere. How would they preserve their identity? The Pharisees more or less put the faith back together from the pieces of the disaster. Their version of Judaism is what survived. However, that version could become corrupt, and Jesus took aim at them (before the fall of Jerusalem) when he saw that. The evangelist, Matthew, recalled those criticisms even as he sought to maintain Jewish ways but in a Christian context in his portrait of Jesus. The warnings against the Pharisees are relevant today because they go to the issue of power and its abuse in matters of faith. Some of the Pharisees used their knowledge and piety to enrich themselves or exercise power over others. This is one of the big dangers lurking in any religious community. If the leaders are ruling instead of serving, there is corruption. Those who are chosen for leadership in the name of Jesus, and claim to have the Holy Spirit as their guide must show the example of Jesus in their conduct. AMEN
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