Jesus warns us today about the "Scribes and the Pharisees" who sit on the seat of Moses. He tells the crowd to do what they say, b...
Jesus warns us today about the "Scribes and the Pharisees" who sit on the seat of Moses. He tells the crowd to do what they say, but not what they do. Why? Because they perform all their works to be seen. They love the places of honor and the titles that make them feel superior. They have high standards for others but none for themselves.
In the first reading, Isaiah gives us the antidote to this hypocrisy. God isn't interested in religious "lip service." He says, "Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds... make justice your aim." God is looking for Honesty. He invites us to a "courtroom" of mercy: "Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow."
The path to this transformation is Humble service. Jesus tells us, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Lent is the season to step down from whatever "pedestal" we have built for ourselves. It is a time to stop worrying about our reputation and start worrying about our Heart. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by how much we are willing to stoop down to lift others up. Today, let us ask for the grace to be "white as snow"—not because we are perfect, but because we are honest enough to let God wash us.
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