1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 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. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matt 23:1-2)
WHAT NOT TO DO AS A LEADER
In the last ten years, so much literature about leadership have been published. Distinction has been made between leadership and management. Books list the qualities that should be present in a leader. Some take the approach of listing the common leadership mistakes, or what not to do as a leader.
We see Jesus doing this in today’s gospel. He turns from the Jewish leaders to those who gathered around him: the crowds and his disciples. Fresh from the confrontation with the previous groups who asked him questions, he now makes a reference to them in this speech to the people.
Jesus, says that the scribes and Pharisees know the words of the Law and have sought to know them to the smallest details. This is what they preached. Jesus acknowledges that. The criticism of Jesus rests on the fact that these scribes and Pharisees do not practice what they preach.
Jesus points out the heavy burdens that these Jewish leaders lay on people’s shoulders: strict and rigorous precepts that warrant severe punishment if disobeyed. How different is this from what Jesus has offered—when he invited people to come to him, those who were heavily laden, for his yoke is easy and his burden, light!
Jesus also notes that these leaders do works that are meant to be seen by others. Phylacteries are part of the prayer paraphernalia of the Jews and they contain important scriptural passages; tassels dangle from the fringes of the prayer shawl that pious Jews wear. Jesus says that these leaders exaggerate these aids to prayer so that they would be seen by others.
Finally, Jesus takes notice of what these scribes and Pharisees enjoy: honor and entitlement. The glory should go to the real teacher and to the one Father!
Jesus ends saying that the greatest should be the one who serves, and with a familiar adage: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection Questions:
1. What is my attitude when I see preachers who are not true to what they preach? What can I do about it personally?
2. What are the things that hinder me from being humble?
Lord, may the leaders of the Church be effective preachers by being genuine witnesses. May we be humble like you.
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