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Gospel: Mt. 23:1-12
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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I’m sure many of us have seen Beauty and the Beast – either as children or with our children and grandchildren.
Do you remember one of the main characters, Gaston? He seemed to have everything a person could want – good looks, lots of money, and lots of praise.
All the girls in town thought he was great! … Except Belle, the only girl he wanted.
Belle thought Gaston was a selfish showoff. While he was attractive on the outside, he was ugly on the inside, only caring about himself.
Rightfully, she was unimpressed.
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Jesus says the same thing about the scribes and the Pharisees in today’s Gospel.
Like Gaston, they wear nice clothes, they’re smart, many of them are rich, and they love to be recognized.
But Jesus sees straight through their appearance. The Pharisees are religiously attractive on the outside but are ugly on the inside.
“All of their works are performed to be seen,” he says. They try to maintain a false image, only caring about themselves.
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So, if nice clothes, lots of money, and good looks won’t impress Jesus, then what will?
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“The greatest among you must be your servant,” he says. That person is beautiful and praiseworthy in the eyes of God.
During this season of Lent, how can we be better servants of others?
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