31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 5/11/2023 - Gospel: Mat 23:1-16
Inconsistence
The Scribes and Pharisees are right to occupy the chair of Moses. They have the authority to teach what Moses taught. Their leadership role is legitimate, and their teaching is legally valid when they teach what Moses taught. Jesus told his audience, and the disciples, to show respect to those in leadership roles, and faithfully observe their teaching. However, when it comes to their behaviour; Jesus told the people not to learn from them because their way of life didn't reflect the spirit of their teaching. They were unfaithful to their word. They paid God lip-service; because their hearts were not for God. They told the people to observe God's law, but they themselves didn't. They preached about God's love; but failed to live up to the spirit of the Scriptures. They loved to project magnificent images of themselves in public; and enjoyed being recognized by others.
'Do not be guided by what they do' implies their practice was hollow and empty. It revealed that they were poor spiritually because their way of life didn't give glory to God, but they themselves embraced the glory of this world. Instead of their preaching and way of life giving glory to God; they aimed to gain glory for themselves. They turned outwards, to the world, in the hope of gaining more fame and popularity. This way of life would negate their spiritual life, and the true meaning of life. Spiritual richness and humility always go together. A humble person would not seek public popularity, but rather live a humble life, and enjoy solitude, and tranquillity.
The phrase 'Occupy the chair of Moses' means any preaching which reflects the spirit of the Hebrew Scriptures is acceptable and upheld. Apart from this authentic preaching; other preaching would be faulty, unauthorised and unacceptable. Showing superiority over the people, trying to gain public attention, and expecting to be respected at Market Square becomes temptation. It is a clear sign of poor spirituality. Their way of life would not unite, but rather divide people into different classes in which they were the first. It certainly is not the way of the Gospel. Living the spirit of the Scriptures means one should live a life with simplicity, honesty and openness. At the same time, one should humbly accept his limitations. We are called not to lead, but to follow Jesus. Our wisdom and knowledge should help us accept our limitations before the vastness of God's love. We are called to live a life that makes others recognize that we are disciples of Jesus. We are not true disciples of Jesus if we fail to fulfil that call. Leading others to Jesus is our role, but making disciples of Jesus is the work of the Spirit. We pray to fulfil what we are called to do. We also pray to recognize that we are not made to understand God's mystery but to accept it with awe and wonder. This recognition plays a vital role in the second part of today's reading. It helps us to recognize that God is our Master, Lord and Teacher. Apart from God, we have no other master or teacher. We are all brothers and sisters, serving and loving God.
God alone is our true Master; we need to learn from, imitate him, and follow his way. All other claims are fault and untrue. They don't teach the way of God, but rather the way of the world. Though they talk about God, it is not to glorify Him, but for their personal gain. Jesus tells us not to copy the hypocrite's way of life, because its way is contrary to God's way. Our teaching must be drawn from Jesus' teaching; our way of life must be guided by Jesus because he comes from God, the Son of God, and God himself.
'Do not be guided by what they do' implies their practice was hollow and empty. It revealed that they were poor spiritually because their way of life didn't give glory to God, but they themselves embraced the glory of this world. Instead of their preaching and way of life giving glory to God; they aimed to gain glory for themselves. They turned outwards, to the world, in the hope of gaining more fame and popularity. This way of life would negate their spiritual life, and the true meaning of life. Spiritual richness and humility always go together. A humble person would not seek public popularity, but rather live a humble life, and enjoy solitude, and tranquillity.
The phrase 'Occupy the chair of Moses' means any preaching which reflects the spirit of the Hebrew Scriptures is acceptable and upheld. Apart from this authentic preaching; other preaching would be faulty, unauthorised and unacceptable. Showing superiority over the people, trying to gain public attention, and expecting to be respected at Market Square becomes temptation. It is a clear sign of poor spirituality. Their way of life would not unite, but rather divide people into different classes in which they were the first. It certainly is not the way of the Gospel. Living the spirit of the Scriptures means one should live a life with simplicity, honesty and openness. At the same time, one should humbly accept his limitations. We are called not to lead, but to follow Jesus. Our wisdom and knowledge should help us accept our limitations before the vastness of God's love. We are called to live a life that makes others recognize that we are disciples of Jesus. We are not true disciples of Jesus if we fail to fulfil that call. Leading others to Jesus is our role, but making disciples of Jesus is the work of the Spirit. We pray to fulfil what we are called to do. We also pray to recognize that we are not made to understand God's mystery but to accept it with awe and wonder. This recognition plays a vital role in the second part of today's reading. It helps us to recognize that God is our Master, Lord and Teacher. Apart from God, we have no other master or teacher. We are all brothers and sisters, serving and loving God.
God alone is our true Master; we need to learn from, imitate him, and follow his way. All other claims are fault and untrue. They don't teach the way of God, but rather the way of the world. Though they talk about God, it is not to glorify Him, but for their personal gain. Jesus tells us not to copy the hypocrite's way of life, because its way is contrary to God's way. Our teaching must be drawn from Jesus' teaching; our way of life must be guided by Jesus because he comes from God, the Son of God, and God himself.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
