Attendite (Lk. 12:1)

 

Interestingly, in today's gospel, it is told that Jesus delivered special teaching for His disciples. Jesus taught them in a crowd of people, even as they were temporarily jostling. This is certainly not a coincidence. Because that was the method of Jesus’s teaching to the disciples. Jesus knew very well the situation of the disciples at that time. They are temporarily "in pride". They were praised by many people even by Jesus himself after returning from his mission. Walking closest to Jesus and being witnessed by many people was a great pride!

Beware! Beware is an alarm that reminds and even wakes up the disciples to stay awake with their situation. Jesus wanted the disciples to realize that they were being tempted to think, feel, and act like the Pharisees and the scribes. Disciples need to get out of such temptations quickly. Jesus wants none of His disciples to be carried away by the current of the environment but to remain strong in their mission and ministry with humility and sincerity.

Being praised by many for doing something good is a temptation to be proud. The Lord Jesus' warning was addressed to the disciples, is also a warning to us all. Jesus also doesn't want us to be tempted to be like the Pharisees. We may also be infected with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who are concerned with appearance and prestige alone. Let us repent and stay away from all things that make us hypocrites. Realize that hypocrisy will one day be exposed. What is covered by man, will be opened by God who looks into the heart.

By Fr. Fransiskus M. Diaz, SVD.

Vae pharisaeis (Lk. 11:43)

Hypocrisy happens when we demand people to do something but we don't do it ourselves. This mentality will make someone consider himself as important and better than others.

The Lord Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who were the religious leaders at that time. Their position in religious life made them socially respected as well. The same thing happened to the Scribes, those who knew well about the law. They liked to emphasize the religious law but Jesus knew that they didn't do it themselves; they didn’t follow that law.

A leader must lead his or her people not only by words but especially by example of life like Jesus did. And the Jewish religious leaders at that time did not have this good attitude. That’s why Jesus condemned such an attitude because it was hypocrisy.

All of us are disciples of Jesus. He sends us to serve, not to be served. Therefore we must be examples of faith and love in action for others.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.

Intus vero (Mt. 23:27)

 

Today's Gospel reading shows us how Jesus addresses the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees. For them, the appearance counted more than the substance. Jesus knows their hearts, that is why Jesus highlights that inner reality is more important than an external image.

Indeed, it is not easy to accept the strong criticism of Jesus;  but, the hardness of their hearts for not evaluating themselves is beyond the limits. Maybe their hearts are made of stone, and their minds are so egocentric that they don't really care about other people. The most important thing is themselves.

God doesn't want us to be selfish, or to be self-centered. We were born to live together and share what we have with our neighbors. Let's be aware that we are God’s blessing for others. Let's live with sincerity and without pretense so that we will truly become blessings from God to our brothers and sisters.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.