Empower Your Faith / Saturday of Week 20; Matthew 23:1 – 12
August 26, 2023
GOSPEL
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.”
Reflection: The True Seat of Honor
Have you ever encountered someone who is all talk and no action? They might be well-versed in principles and theories, yet when it comes to the actual execution, their actions are wanting.
Today’s Gospel reading takes us into the heart of this matter. Here, Jesus is not challenging the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees; he acknowledges they sit on the chair of Moses. His critique is aimed at their hearts, their intentions, and the disconnect between their words and deeds.
Life’s true tests aren’t in the grand gestures seen by all, but in the silent moments unnoticed by many. It’s easy to wear faith as a badge, to decorate ourselves with its symbols. But are we willing to carry its weight in our hearts? The widened phylacteries and lengthened tassels that Jesus speaks of are external symbols. But, what of the internal transformation?
In a world that often equates visibility with importance, Jesus flips the narrative. «They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues.» The craving for recognition, for titles, and for validation is age-old. But Jesus introduces a new metric for greatness – service. «The greatest among you must be your servant.»
Let’s pause and ask ourselves: Do we seek titles or testimonies? Do we long for positions or purpose? Is our faith journey marked by a desire for elevation or exemplification?
As the reading concludes, Jesus provides a profound paradox: «Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.» This isn’t a call to false humility but an invitation to genuine self-awareness. Recognizing our limitations doesn’t diminish our worth; it magnifies God’s role in our lives.
Today, as we reflect upon this Gospel, let’s strive to ensure that our actions echo our words. Let’s measure our spiritual progress not by the accolades we receive but by the lives we touch. In a world enamored by the external, let’s remember that the true seat of honor is not in the high tables of men but in the humble corners of service. Let our lives, like that of Jesus, be a testament that true greatness comes not from being served but from serving.
