7, మార్చి 2023, మంగళవారం

 

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Mt 23:1-12

Hypocrisy ➡️ Honesty

 

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings of the day strictly warns us of  the false attitude we develop under the guise of religiosity (devotion) and goodness.

 

In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah addresses the people, and the leaders as princes of Sodom and people of Gomorrah, very strong words to call them like that. But God saw them in a similar situation, evil in their actions and rebelling, disobeying and sinning against God. At the same time they were behaving and doing all kinds of religious activities presuming that God would be pleased. However, the prophet clearly states God does not accept this dichotomy between their external disposition through offerings and internal evil nature. They are full of dishonesty and hypocrisy.

Similarly in the Gospel too, Jesus points out the hypocrisy of Pharisees in general but it can be applied to all of us, the elders, the leaders.

Jesus states that

     They don’t practise what they preach

     They do superficially in order to attract admiration and appreciation.

 

They act as the authority in relation to spiritual and religious matters, they are happy to lay burdens on others but not ready to help. They are happy to preach extensively from one end to another but not ready to internalise the practicality of it.

In general, we know with regard to certain authorities we expect them to be aware of their field and we are happy to listen.  the doctor about things medical, the lawyer about things legal, the priest about things spiritual, the parent about family matters.

Unfortunately there is even in our society and community  today a lot of dishonesty and hypocrisy in people’s attitude and there is a void of integrity and honesty in us, also in the authoritative figures in their fields. People are after fancy admiration than factual fostering of one's life.

God indeed condemns this behaviour and warns strictly but his desire is not to punish unless we deserve. Instead He calls upon us for a change of heart, change of behaviour, repentance.

Therefore the Lord says “Wash yourselves clean! Come now, let us set things right”.(Isaiah 1:16) He wishes to make our life wholesome again, and blessed abundantly.

And how are we to wash ourselves clean and make things right. Is it just by increasing our prayers, our offerings and making a repentant prayer or just confession alone.

In addition to that,

    Cease to do evil and impure things

    Depart from all the occasions of temptations, doing wrong.

    And justice to be our aim

    redress the wrong done to others, that is to rectify or repay ( like Zacchaues)

    Hear the orphan and defend the widow, in other words take care of the needy, weak and vulnerable or neglected people around.

Therefore every authoritative behaviour clubbed with arrogance and dominance and presuming the superior needs to be avoided.  Rather through empowering and enabling others one can wash clean. One can free from the clutches of the fantasy world, false honesty, admiration and appreciation.

 

As a result there is hope of being accepted by God and being blessed accordingly.

God blesses us when we present ourselves honestly before with all our mistakes, imperfection but if we try to act, disguise, refuse and resist and crave for the title and authority. God does not accept, He is not pleased with us.  So let this lent be  a time to turn from hypocrisy to honesty.

 

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

whoever humbles himself will be exalted."( Matthew 223:12)

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Mt 23:1-12

Hypocrisy ➡️ Honesty

 

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings of the day strictly warns us of  the false attitude we develop under the guise of religiosity (devotion) and goodness.

 

In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah addresses the people, and the leaders as princes of Sodom and people of Gomorrah, very strong words to call them like that. But God saw them in a similar situation, evil in their actions and rebelling, disobeying and sinning against God. At the same time they were behaving and doing all kinds of religious activities presuming that God would be pleased. However, the prophet clearly states God does not accept this dichotomy between their external disposition through offerings and internal evil nature. They are full of dishonesty and hypocrisy.

Similarly in the Gospel too, Jesus points out the hypocrisy of Pharisees in general but it can be applied to all of us, the elders, the leaders.

Jesus states that

     They don’t practise what they preach

     They do superficially in order to attract admiration and appreciation.

 

They act as the authority in relation to spiritual and religious matters, they are happy to lay burdens on others but not ready to help. They are happy to preach extensively from one end to another but not ready to internalise the practicality of it.

In general, we know with regard to certain authorities we expect them to be aware of their field and we are happy to listen.  the doctor about things medical, the lawyer about things legal, the priest about things spiritual, the parent about family matters.

Unfortunately there is even in our society and community  today a lot of dishonesty and hypocrisy in people’s attitude and there is a void of integrity and honesty in us, also in the authoritative figures in their fields. People are after fancy admiration than factual fostering of one's life.

God indeed condemns this behaviour and warns strictly but his desire is not to punish unless we deserve. Instead He calls upon us for a change of heart, change of behaviour, repentance.

Therefore the Lord says “Wash yourselves clean! Come now, let us set things right”.(Isaiah 1:16) He wishes to make our life wholesome again, and blessed abundantly.

And how are we to wash ourselves clean and make things right. Is it just by increasing our prayers, our offerings and making a repentant prayer or just confession alone.

In addition to that,

    Cease to do evil and impure things

    Depart from all the occasions of temptations, doing wrong.

    And justice to be our aim

    redress the wrong done to others, that is to rectify or repay ( like Zacchaues)

    Hear the orphan and defend the widow, in other words take care of the needy, weak and vulnerable or neglected people around.

Therefore every authoritative behaviour clubbed with arrogance and dominance and presuming the superior needs to be avoided.  Rather through empowering and enabling others one can wash clean. One can free from the clutches of the fantasy world, false honesty, admiration and appreciation.

 

As a result there is hope of being accepted by God and being blessed accordingly.

God blesses us when we present ourselves honestly before with all our mistakes, imperfection but if we try to act, disguise, refuse and resist and crave for the title and authority. God does not accept, He is not pleased with us.  So let this lent be  a time to turn from hypocrisy to honesty.

 

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

whoever humbles himself will be exalted."( Matthew 223:12)


FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD

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