“Shaking off the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty!”

(Based on Eph 1:1-10 and Lk 11:47-12:1 – Thursday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It is said about a famous writer who would climb a ladder to his attic, where he worked until dark.

His devoted wife was left alone in the room below.

One evening at dinner, the wife asked why he had never expressed appreciation for the food she lovingly prepared for him.
“Woman,” the writer-husband retorted, “must you be paid for everything you do?”
With that, he stamped off to his attic workshop.

Years later, when his wife died, the man found her diary.

On tear-stained pages, he read this recurring refrain:
“Oh, I wish you would say a kind word or give me a compliment now and then…
… about the things I try to do to make you happy!”

So many times it happens thus in life…

We render assistance in many ways to people…
… but they fall short of being grateful to us
We sometimes even hear them being negatively critical about us, and defaming us.

But perhaps, after our death, these people might acclaim how wonderful a person he/she was!

We often become a people who fail to appreciate when a person is alive…
… but shower praises after his/her death!

Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day speaks of a similar attitude and tendency among the Pharisees.

In His continued attacks on the hypocrisy and duplicity of the Pharisees, Jesus condemns them for building memorials of the Prophets who were killed and murdered by their ancestors. (Cf. Lk 11:47-48)

The Prophets of the old, lived as the true men of God and constantly called the people to a life of repentance and being faithful to God.

But these prophets were very often persecuted, attacked and even killed.

The Prophets, who were the voice of God, while living, had their voices were silenced and drowned by the wicked people…

But after their death, they used to be quoted and cited in many scholarly and erudite circles.
An attitude of ungratefulness while living…
… but false appreciation after death!

The Prophets, who called the people to live as per their true conscience, had their lives terminated and ended by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had fine memorials and beautiful tombs built in their name
A tendency of indifference while living…
… but vain glorification after death!

The Prophets, who became the champion of justice and truth, had their efforts ceased and their labours aborted by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had many oratories and exquisite lectures in their name.
An approach of passivity while living…
… but fake interest after death!

Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their deception, as they too become sharers of the blood of the True Prophets and the Men of God!

Jesus’ attacks on this Pharisaic attitude is a strong reminder and warning to each one of us too…

To realize the worth and value of people, while they are alive…
… and not just heap up empty words of praise, after their death!
To realize the importance of recognizing the true spirit and teachings of people around us…
… and not become too late in realizing their significance!

Life is too short to miss appreciating people for their genuine efforts and contributions.

Life is too short to not give people the worth for all what they are in our lives.

A fresh flower given when alive is far worth and appreciable than a bouquet given at the grave!
Appreciate people when they are around…

Enthuse people when situations are favourable…
Encourage people when time and space permit us…

Let us shake off the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty

Instead clothe ourselves in genuineness and truthfulness…
… by appreciating and realizing the value and worth of people in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

“That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,’ says St. Thomas, ‘but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.’
For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 (‘This is my body which is given for you.’), St. Cyril says: ‘Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Saviour in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'”
“Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;

Truth Himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.” (CCC #1381)