Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 21, 2021 - Saturday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 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."
AUGUST 21 ST. PIUS X, pope
"Practice what you preach!" Those words are not just an admonition, but an examination of conscience! The Gospel According to Matthew shows great respect for the laws and institutions of Judaism, but Jesus is an unrelenting critic of those entrusted with teaching those laws and institutions. He calls them "hypocrites" and challenges them to stop taking advantage of their knowledge of Mosaic laws and customs in order to gain praise or wealth or power. At the same time, Jesus exhorts the disciples NOT to follow the example of those leaders.
In the Catholic church, the same kind of thing that Jesus criticizes in the Jewish leadership of his time is to be found in what is called "clericalism," in which those who are ordained to serve take advantage of their status to feed their egos, show how powerful they are, and manipulate vulnerable parishioners. The terrible scourge of clerical sex abuse would be just one major example. Underneath all of this is the question of "power."
Pope Francis has particularly spoken out against "clericalism" and the clerical caste that can form. His pungent expression is that the shepherd should have "the smell of the sheep." In my years of preaching retreats for clergy (both priests and permanent deacons) I have encouraged the positive benefits of priestly fraternity. At the same time, I have warned about the dangers of power. The fact that Jesus had to warn the scribes and Pharisees about the same problems indicates that the problem is on-going and a constant effort is needed to hold accountable those who have received the Sacrament of Orders. "Practice what you preach" means both accountability in practice as well as in preaching!!! AMEN