Gospel: Matthew 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.
***
***
I heard an interesting line recently, “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
***
And, if so, what might that evidence be?
***
In today’s Gospel, Jesus puts the religious authorities of his day on trial, telling them there is no evidence to convict them of being faithful to God.
While they appear to be religious – they dress the right way and say the right things – their hearts are hardened. “Do not follow their example,” Jesus says. “For they preach, but they do not practice.”
In a word, they yield no “evidence.”
***
So, what might the trial of a faithful Christian sound like?
***
She loves her neighbor. I saw it when she left groceries on her doorstep while her neighbor was stuck in quarantine.
He prays for others. I see it every morning when he recites the rosary.
He feeds the hungry. I’ve seen him working quietly in the parish soup kitchen.
She doesn’t judge; rather, she forgives those who wrong her. I can hear it in the way she speaks about others.
This is the type of “evidence” that Jesus is looking for from us: charity, prayer, service, and a merciful heart.
***
How, then, will we show others we are Christians today?
***
***
Image credits: (1) @bobgoff, Pinterest (2) Though Art The Man, WordPress (3) Jesusnation, Pinterest