Matthew 23:1-12

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, saying,

“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 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.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called ‘Master’;

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am your creature and you are my Father. Teach me the ways of humility so that I may truly know who I am and what my place is in this passing world. Lead me by the hand along this path to heavenly exaltation and a share in your glory.

Encountering the Word of God

1. A Call to Repentance: Isaiah’s words about the forgiveness of our sins are words of comfort. Even if our sins are as many as the Samaritan woman’s or as serious as King David’s, we know that God will forgive us and purify us. Isaiah calls the people to repentance – first likening them to the sinful inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah and then showing the way out of sin and to blessedness. Isaiah begins by turning our attention to God’s Word. This is the starting point for our examination of conscience. We need to confront our lives with God’s revelation and with the holiness to which he calls us. We learn to do good by meditating on God’s Word, asking for his guidance in applying this to our lives, and asking for the strength to fulfill this Word. Isaiah then tells us to wash ourselves spiritually by putting away our misdeeds and ceasing, with God’s help, to do evil. God’s Word enlightens us and shows us where we have failed. This is important because sin tends to blind us to our faults and make us concentrate on the faults of others. We neglect the log in our eye while we attempt to remove the speck in our brother’s eye.

2. The Path to Salvation: Isaiah also indicates the path of justice that we are to follow. When we do overcome sin in our lives, we can direct our attention more readily to those who are less fortunate and to those we have hurt. Isaiah links obedience to blessing (eating good things) and refusing to obey to punishment (the sword will consume you). Enlightened by God’s Word we are urged to leave aside sin and pursue justice in obedience. This is an offering of praise, a sacrifice that glorifies God. This is the path that leads to salvation, blessedness, and divine life.

3. Overcoming the temptations of pride and hypocrisy: The Gospel today encourages us to overcome the temptations of pride and hypocrisy. These were the sins of the Pharisees, who trusted in the external observance of the Law and expected everyone to follow their example. The Psalmist criticizes this attitude: Does God delight in animal sacrifice when our hearts are far from him?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I enjoy contemplating the mysteries of your life. I see the humility of your birth in a stable, the hiddenness of your life in Nazareth, the poverty of your life in Galilee, the misunderstandings you faced, and your desire to save me through your passion and death. You were truly humble and were supremely exalted!

Resolution: Only the humble truly praise and glorify God. The way of humility leads us to glory and exaltation. This was the way of Jesus: thirty-three years of humble solidarity with man, becoming the servant of all, obedient acceptance of the curse of the Cross, transformation of suffering into the salvation of man and the glorification of the Father, and heavenly exaltation at the Father’s right hand. Will we follow the way of Jesus today?