What is pleasing to God? (A Morning Meditation, Matthew 23:23-26)

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I’m sure many of us remember the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast. 

One of the main characters, Gaston, seemed to have everything a person could want – good looks, lots of money, a great singing voice, and plenty of human praise.

All the girls in town thought he was debonair… Except Belle, the one girl he wanted. 

Belle saw right through Gaston’s appearance. Although he was attractive on the outside, he was ugly within. He was self-centered and arrogant.

And so, she was unimpressed.

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Jesus says something similar about the scribes and the Pharisees. 

Like Gaston, they wear nice garments, they’re smart, many of them are rich, and they love to be recognized. 

But Jesus sees through their appearance. Though attractive on the outside, they’re corrupt within.

“All of their works are performed to be seen,” he says. They don’t care about other people. Ultimately, they aren’t even interested in God.

They only care about themselves.

So, if nice religious garments, knowledge of the Law, and public acts of penance don’t impress Jesus, then what does?

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“The greatest among you must be your servant,” he says. 

That person is beautiful and praiseworthy in God’s eyes. The one who is humble; the servant. 

How, then, can we be servants for those in need today?

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(Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.)