Jesus spoke to the crowds and to 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.”
REFLECTION
"They preach but they do not practice."
As a parent there is a real challenge to teach by example. As a commuter, it is hard not to get mad and think of several "choice words" about the person that cuts you in the freeway. As a co-worker, it is hard not to feel like going off on that person that either steals your projects, or takes the credit for your work.
How can I "love my enemy"? Or how can I go through life saying " ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye?" (Mt 7:3)
When self-righteousness starts to invade my thoughts, I remember a teaching by Father Michael.
I need to imaging myself as if I was driving a vehicle. If I only looked forward all the time, and never to the rearview or side mirrors, I'd be in great trouble. Same if I only looked in the rearview mirror and never to the front. I'd immediately crash the car.
In order to help others, I need to look into my own sin first. This is very difficult. But the first step is to take a deep breath and see "where am I?". "Am I where I am?" "What am I doing?"
Talking to a spiritual director and going for confession also helps us move forward in our spiritual life, and move away from those things that make us "off-center", or prevent us to look in "the rearview mirror", so we can readjust our driving. That driving is our journey towards heaven.
If you have never attended one of our retreats, or Bible studies, you are welcome to check them in our PAPA YouTube channel.
You can also join us in our upcoming Lenten Retreat to learn more about PAPA and what we do. Our sessions are in person and via Zoom.
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