Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - 2nd Week of Lent - Tues
[Isa 1:10, 16-20 and Matt 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....
When St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers in the early 13th century, he wanted the preachers to be able to live an "apostolic" lifestyle, based on the descriptions of the early Christian community found in the Acts of the Apostles. [2:42-47 and 4:32-35] His reason came from experience. Preaching gets its credibility from practice. The Albigensian heretical preachers were attracting followers because of their lifestyle. The orthodox preachers were living in luxury. A preacher's life must preach before he or she speaks!
Jesus aims his words at religious leadership today. He gives a nod to the scribes and Pharisees as teachers but also denounces them as hypocrites. In another vein, one might say they are "out of touch" with ordinary people. One reason why Pope Francis is having such a positive impact is that his personal life is consistent with what he says, and what he says is very welcoming and merciful instead of demanding and judgmental! He is also trying to help people carry those burdens and challenges that faithful living does require. He is very much "in touch."
One of the most prophetic things that ordinary believers can do is to continually challenge religious leadership to "be in touch" and not to demand anything that they themselves are reluctant to do. A parish community could make a useful Lenten practice of self-evaluation to see if the community is indeed inviting and merciful, which should include the pastors and parish leadership as well! We want to be sure we don't come under the words of Jesus: "They preach but they do not practice." AMEN