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 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.”
Homily
When I was young there were children in every class whom we were inclined to call scatter-brained. They either could not concentrate for very long on any subject or what was being taught did not interest them. Of course most of these pupils did not do very well in class. The ability to concentrate is very important if we are to succeed in any area of life. Added to this is the ability to prioritize correctly. When these two come together, i.e. the ability to concentrate on and the ability to prioritize correctly, then we have the formula for true success. This is extremely important for Christians and Catholics.
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What is extremely important for all of us to remember is that we all, whether as parents, student leaders, teachers, priests, religious, bishops, have an influence on others. By our words and example we induce others to accept and live the values which we espouse. We have a good influence on others if we help them to prioritize correctly and focus on the correct priorities. We have a bad influence on others if we help them to do the opposite. This is what the Pharisees did and that is why Jesus warned the people against following their example.
A look at the lives of the saints and all of us are called to be saints shows us how they influenced others for good. The lives of the great saints like Dominic and Francis continue to call others to imitate them. The thousands of sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta tell us that this history is being repeated. As we thank God for these saints who knew how to set the correct priorities, we ask God for ourselves that we receive the graces necessary to set the correct priorities in our lives, to focus on them so that our lives may influence others for Good.
Prayer
All powerful and ever-loving God, we thank you for reminding us of our responsibility as Christians. You call us to be good influences on the people who surround us. Give us the wisdom and grace that we need so that we may be faithful to that obligation. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our Mother and in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen
