Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( Matthew 23:1-12 )
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.
Matthew 23:2-3
In the news recently, at a race in Georgia, a man came up behind a TV News Reporter and slapped her on the butt as he ran by. The reporter was, of course, upset, and has since filed charges against the man for “sexual battery.”
When I first saw this in the news the other day, I thought, “What would make anyone think that this was a smart thing to do on live television?” Then, as more news came out, it came to light that not only was this man married with kids, but he was also a Youth Minister at a local church and a Boy Scout Leader…(?!) At that point my question became, “What would make you think that as someone who is supposed to be a role model, that slapping a reporter on the ass would be a smart thing to do on live television (or at any time, really)?!”
They do all their deeds to be seen by others
Matthew 23:5
That verse refers to the pride of the Pharisees and how they wanted everyone to see how wonderful they were, but I think in the Gospel today we see that sometimes your actions will be seen by more people than you expect. Just as Jesus called out the Pharisees for their disingenuous actions, so too people today will call out those who are held to a higher standard.
Mike was called to be the Vicar of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Wickenburg, AZ, and started this call on February 1, 2024. Before taking a call as clergy, Mike worked in IT for almost 25 years, variously working as a back- and front-end web developer, database developer and manager, and as a business analyst. If he’s not engaged in the work of the church, you can find him on a motorcycle, enjoying the ride, or training for an upcoming BikeMS ride.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical History from Seattle Pacific University, and a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. He attended Sewanee School of Theology for a year of Anglican Studies in the Fall of 2022, and graduated in May of 2023. Mike was ordained as a Transitional Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona on January 20th, 2024, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 2024.