GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 23:1-121 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Isaiah 1:10,16-2010 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Meditation: Who doesn't desire the praise and respect of
others? We want others to see us at our best with all of our
strengths and achievements - rather than at our worst with all of
our faults and shortcomings. God sees us as we truly are - sinners
and beggars always in need of his mercy, help, and guidance.
The prophet Isaiah warned both the rulers and the people of Sodom
and Gomorrah to humbly listen and submit to God's teaching so they
could learn to do good and to cease from evil
(Isaiah 110,17). Jesus warned the scribes and Pharisees, the
teachers and rulers of Israel, to teach and serve their people
with humility and sincerity rather than with pride and
self-promotion. They went to great lengths to draw attention to
their religious status and practices. In a way they wanted to be
good models of observant Jews. "See how well we observe all the
ritual rules and regulations of our religion!" In their misguided
zeal for religion they sought recognition and honor for themselves
rather than for God. They made the practice of their faith a
burden rather than a joy for the people they were supposed to
serve.
True respect for God inclines us to humble ourselves and to
submit to his wisdom and guidance. We cannot be taught by God
unless we first learn to listen to his word and then obey his
instruction.
One Father and Teacher
Was Jesus against calling anyone a rabbi, the Jewish title
for a teacher of God's word (Matthew 23:7-8), or a father?
The law of Moses in Scripture specifically instructed all fathers
to be teachers and instructors for their children to help them
understand and obey God's instructions (Deuteronomy 6:7)? Why did
Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities
of the Jewish people, in the presence of his disciples? Jesus
wanted to warn both his own disciples and the religious leaders
about the temptation to seek honors and titles that draw attention
to ourselves in place of God and his word. Pride tempts us to put
ourselves first above others.
The Scriptures give ample warning about the danger of
self-seeking pride: Pride goes before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). God
opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6;
Proverbs 3:24).
Origen (185-254 AD), an early Christian teacher and bible
scholar, reminds those who teach and lead to remember that they
are first and foremost "disciples" and "servants" who sit at the
feet of their Master and Teacher the Lord Jesus Christ:
"You have one teacher, and you are all brothers to each other...Whoever ministers with the divine word does not put himself forward to be called teacher, for he knows that when he performs well it is Christ who is within him. He should only call himself servant according to the command of Christ, saying, Whoever is greater among you, let him be the servant of all."
True humility
Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to humility and to
simplicity of heart - the willing readiness to seek the one true
good who is God himself. What is the nature of true humility and why
should we embrace it as essential for our lives? We can easily
mistake humility as something demeaning or harmful to our sense of
well-being and feeling good about ourselves. True humility is not
feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or
thinking of yourself as inferior to all others. True humility frees
us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion
tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in
self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves honestly,
with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us
(Psalm 139:1-4).
A humble person makes a realistic assessment of oneself without
illusion or pretense to be something one is not. A truly humble
person regards oneself neither smaller nor larger than one truly
is. True humility frees us to be ourselves as God regards us and
to avoid falling into despair and pride. A humble person does not
want to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to
others. Such a person is not swayed by accidentals, such as fame,
reputation, success, or failure. Do you know the joy of
Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues
because it enables us to see and judge correctly, the way God
sees. Humility helps us to be teachable so we can acquire true
knowledge, wisdom, and an honest view of reality. It directs our
energy, zeal, and will to give ourselves to something greater than
ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others willingly
and selflessly, for their own sake, rather than for our own. Paul
the Apostle gives us the greatest example and model of humility in
the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the
form of a servant, and... who humbled himself and became
obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians
2:7-8). Do you want to be a servant as Jesus loved and served
others? The Lord Jesus gives us his heart - the heart of a servant
who seeks the good of others and puts their interests first in his
care and concern for them.
Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be humble as you are humble and to love others generously with selfless service and kindness.
Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23
8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds.
16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.
21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.
23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Who are the proud? by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Who are the proud? Those who do not perform penance and confess
their sins in order to be healed through humility. Who are the
proud? Those who attribute to themselves the few good qualities
they seem to possess and endeavor to diminish the mercy of God.
Who are the proud? Those who, while attributing to God the good
they accomplish, insult others for not performing such works and
raise themselves above them." (Commentary
on Psalm 93, 15)
