Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 - 2nd Week of Lent - Tues
[Isa 1:10, 16-20 and Matt 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. They tie up heavy burdens to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them...
There are times when I believe that the church has personalized Lent to the extent that it only applies to individuals and personal penitence but not to a collective sense of the church. Certainly we Catholics have felt "church-wide" in this country the impact of the sexual abuse crisis. And Pope Benedict XVI has tried to address this "burden" to some extent. However, I'm not thinking so much today of the big things as the smaller everyday things. Jesus' comment about the scribes and Pharisees affirms their authority but condemns their use of it! This is where I think ALL church authority from Bishop to usher needs to "sit up and take notice!"
Catholicism has been noted for its many "rules." In the post-Vatican Council era, this has been referred to as the "tyranny of guidelines." The lawyer in me knows of the necessity for some structural formation, but I have seen a lot of damage done by the insistence on obedience which does not take into account individual circumstances. This insistence is not due to the structure per se but to the frightened power holders who impose it! In short, Jesus accuses the scribes and Pharisees of abuse of power, and it is this kind of abuse that I believe requires a kind of collective examination of conscience in the church from Bishop to usher! Where have we imposed burdens on people's shoulders but have not made a move to lift them? The gospel is not just meant for Lent, but Lent does allow for asking tough questions and making deep considerations. AMEN