Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 23, 2025 - 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 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....The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." [Matthew]
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 ST. ROSE OF LIMA, O.P.
[Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 and Matthew 23:1-12. These scriptures may vary at Dominican locations. St. Rose is a significant Dominican figure.]
The twenty-third chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew is one long denunciation of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem during Jesus' last days. He does not question their authority but condemns their corruption. They were using their knowledge of the Mosaic Law to benefit themselves while making the observances of that law a burden. They were also too fond of public respect and honor while looking down on others. Needless to say, Jesus' words made enemies who used the Roman authorities to get rid of him.
There is an old Latin expression: Corruptio optimi pessimus (the corruption of the best is the worst). In Catholic culture, one form of this, often denounced by Pope Francis, is "clericalism." This word points to anyone ordained to ministry in the church who uses their sacred role to benefit themselves. The benefit may be economic or social - "places of honor" and titles or clothing to call attention to them. Abuse of power is always a danger. [The sex-abuse scandals are ample testimony!] Lord Acton's famous dictum is ever true: "Power corrupts. Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely." The Roman collar or cassock/habit or any other outward sign of ordination or consecrated life should be a symbol of service, not of superiority. We cannot point the finger at the Pharisees and scribes if we tolerate, in our own times, the equivalent behavior in our own Church! AMEN