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.
