Hypocrites Do Not Be

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.” (Matthew 23:1-12)

Quite the condemnation for the hypocrites – then and now!  We must practice what we preach.  Therefore, how well do we understand the concept of Catholic social justice and our obligations as the Body of Christ?  Do we understand “pro-life” and all its meanings?  Do we practice tolerance and love of our neighbor?  

Importantly, with 2020 being an election year, have we formed our Catholic consciences?  To do so we all should be guided by the USCCB document: “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship – A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States.”  Among other things it provides guidance on making moral choices, an especially important topic for 2020 and beyond.

Deacon David Pierce