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.” MT 23:1-12
Jesus teaches us that corruption exists in the Church, in political systems, and in ourselves. We often want to point fingers at the first two, but deny that we are corrupt or have faults. The seminarian poster a couple of years ago had the quote, “God does not call the qualified He qualifies the called.” Even though any institution ran by humans will have corruption, there is only one you can control, yourself. We must recognize we have a fallen human nature and work to subdue our pride, be humble, and become little souls. God loves little souls. The other interesting fact Jesus teaches us is to listen to the Pharisees, “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.” The Pharisees were preaching the Truth God had given them in the Torah, in the Psalms, and prophets. The Truth, God, never changes and is the Word we are called to listen to, follow, and allow it to transform our minds and hearts. “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.” God works through little souls and He can choose to work through anyone however He pleases.
The Church is important. Jesus set up a Church and spiritually it is His Mystical Body. The Israelites were called as a community, Jesus set up a community in 12 Apostles and Mary, and He calls together each Sunday to worship Him and receive Him Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity as a community of believers. A parish who shares suffering, gives their time and talents to give back to God for what He has given us, to create friendships, and come together to help the most needy in our community.
Last, Jesus teaches those called to be leaders to be servants. One way we can bring peace to our Church, political systems, and mother and fathers in our homes is to serve. We must put down our devices and spend time, be present, with those God has put into our lives. A simple daily application to make sure you are living this amazing teaching of Christ is to enter each room and ask if you can help others with anything. Then, give yourself to God each day and ask Him what He wants of you each day. Be a servant, become a saint!
Today’s challenge: Forgive those who have done corrupt things in the institutions that oversee your life. Look inside yourself and see where you are corrupt and ask God for the grace to change. Enter each room and ask how you can help.
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO
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