March 2nd Gospel Reading and Reflection Pharisees

In today's Gospel Jesus gives a big warning to us about the Pharisees and defines their selfishness. Sadly we can all recognise the pharisee in ourselves too.

                                                        "Pharisees" by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff 1912

Image source

 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 honour at banquets, seats of honour 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

We all have egos that need strokes from time to time  but when our positions become bigger than God then we have to let go and take stock : It's not about me !!!

For some reason this poem attracted my attention after reading today's Gospel

I am not what I ought to be
I am not what I want to be
I am not what I hope to be
But by the grace of God
I am not what I was

John Newton