TUESDAY IN THE 2ND WEEK OF LENT MASS READINGS AND COMMENTARIES::
“HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED
( Mt 23:1–12).”
“HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED
( Mt 23:1–12).”
MASS READINGS
READING I
Is 1:10, 16–20
Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!
Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Rid yourselves of all your sins; and make a new heart and a new spirit.
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.”
- In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us against the vices of the scribes and the Pharisees, who had the authority to teach the Law of Moses, but do not practice what they preach.
- The disciples must learn to distinguish the Law which is read out and taught in the synagogues, from the practical interpretation of the Pharisees which could be seen from the way they live.
- Our Lord underlines the importance of living a life which is coherent to our faith and the effectiveness of teaching with the good example of one’s life.
- We could also learn that authority is always aimed at service of others, and not for self-benefit nor for vanity’s sake.
- If read considering the context, the phrase “call no one on earth your father” is actually a WARNING so as NOT TO AMBITION AND DESIRE HONORIFIC CONDITION, TREATMENT, TITLES AND SUPERIORITY OVER AND ABOVE OTHERS IN THIS LIFE, as the scribes and Pharisees had done, moved by their pride.
- When Jesus said “call no one on earth your father,” he was using a HYPERBOLE, that is an extravagant expression not to be taken literally. As such, it is not against the teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ to call person, “father,” due to natural or spiritual paternity. More on this here.
- Our Lord Jesus Christ humbly served us throughout His Life, but above all during His Passion and Death on the Cross, which culminated in the triumphant glory of His Resurrection and Ascension into heaven.
- This is also our way as Christians: the way of humility manifested in serving others for God. We must not fear humilliation for only then we could grow in the virtue of humility.
- On the contrary, a spirit of pride, vanity and wordly ambition is incompatible with our life as disciples who wish to faithfully follow Christ.
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: ARE YOU A GOOD CHRISTIAN ROLE MODEL?
Today’s readings from Isaiah and from Matthew are replete with reflections and learnings to live by. They speak of being good role models to others.
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