Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10
1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13
Mt 23:1-12

Be humble and Holy

The readings for this Sunday are timely because we will vote two days later. They remind us that all leaders, and we as well, are called to humility and holiness. The first reading from the prophet Malachi speaks God’s message to listen to God and proclaim God’s message through all we say and do. Paul reminds the Thessalonians how he worked and acted as he preached the good news to them and how he appreciates their honest response. The gospel message is very clear about how we sometimes see our leaders, and again, each other. Read the words carefully and reflectively as you prepare to vote for the persons you believe will be our best leaders and for the issues that promote the common good. Think about the image or the reality that you show others through your words and actions.

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 [and sisters]. 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.”

We all know some people who are all show but have very little substance in their words and actions. Being important to others is part of their persona, especially in public. Jesus reminds his listeners that the truth of their message should be followed, but not their example. Jesus warns us not to follow the hypocritical way of life of the Pharisees of his time and those of our time who promote bad examples. They talk well but act badly. They are very eloquent in their public messages but they are the opposite in their actions. This is also true in the paid advertising for issues that are on voting ballots. The misinformation is rampant. In all cases, we are encouraged to vote with correct information that leads us to vote with our consciences for the common good.

Aside from the issue of voting, the message of Jesus tells us to be humble and holy in all the words and actions of our lives. He is denouncing earthly pride that is opposed to the message of eternal life he preached. That message tells us to love God above all else, to love ourselves as God’s good creation, and to love others as we are called to love ourselves. The message is simple but hard to live in the here and now. All our choices that we make each day should be directed to this central message of Jesus. All of us are leaders in some way. Whether it is in our own families, work place, church or civic community or any other opportunity we should be humble and holy. That is the sign of a true leader who knows her or his gifts come from God.

What issue do I feel called to be a prophetic voice for?

Do I practice what I preach?

Is there somebody in my circle who needs to hear about the love of God today?