So you shall do and observe all they say; but do not do as they do, for they do not do what
they say. They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they
do not even lift a finger to move them. They do everything in order to be seen by people:
they wear very wide bands of the law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels.
They enjoy the first places at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and they like
being greeted in the marketplace, and being called Master’ by the people. But you, do not
let yourselves be called Master, because you have only one Master, and all of you are
brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, Father, he who is in
heaven. Nor should you be called Leader, Leader for you. Let the greatest among you
be the servant of all. For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself shall great.
Reflect
“Self focus.” Our everyday practice of mercy toward the other certainly will help us to go
out of our selves. Whether we admit it or not, there are many things we do every day
which focus only on the self. There are even times when we tend to add more burdens on
others rather than help them carry the burdens they have because of our self-securing
attitude. Self-focus is what may separate a good teaching from a good practice.
One may teach good things without practicing them because of too much self-focus.
This tendency may happen even in our life of faith. Expressions of our faith should
lead us out of such self-focus. However, even in our life of faith, there are times when
we cannot shift the focus from the self to God. Hence, we tend to put others down
rather than raise them up. In the Gospel for today, Jesus cautioned the people to
listen to what the Pharisees and the teachers of the law say but not to follow their
examples. These religious leaders led a split-level life because they failed to keep the
focus on the Lord. Falling into temptation of self-focus, they served no one but
themselves.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024
