“Realising that it is not just what we preach, but what we practise, that makes us witness as Christians!”
(Based on Ezek 18:21-28 and Mt 5:20-26 – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent)
An eloquent priest was explaining to a group of youngsters, on who is a Christian.
He said:
“It is not what people eat, but what they digest…
… that makes them strong
It is not what we earn, but what we save…
… that makes us rich
It is not what we read, but what we remember…
… that makes us learned
And finally, it is not just what we preach, but what we practise…
… that makes us Christians!”
So true, isn’t it?
Very often, we associate our Christian way of life, only with external practices of prayer and devotion
But we need to realise…
…. every prayer needs to be accompanied with works of charity!
… every act of devotion needs to be complemented with deeds of mercy!
Jesus always keeps challenging us!
He loathes laziness and lukewarmness!
He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!
This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel reading.
Jesus says, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes & Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20)
The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees consisted…
… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit
… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries
What could be some of the negative aspects of the righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…
… and which, perhaps, we need to overcome?
- Sin had only to do with “external actions” and not concerned with “internal intention!”
Sin was considered as ‘the external violation of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions…
… while completely neglecting the inner disposition of the heart.’
Ritual purity, Sabbath observances, and legalistic practices were glorified….
… but greater sins like pride, greed, and hypocrisy were conveniently sidelined!
A sinner was someone who openly broke the Law, such as tax collectors and prostitutes…
…. anyone breaking ‘the law of love in their hearts’ was never considered as doing wrong!
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “superficial righteousness!”
- They liked to preach, but not practise
We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.
But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “‘only-talk, no-walk’ righteousness!”
- They liked to do things to “show-off”
A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.
Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses…
… and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “showy and puffed-up righteousness!”
- They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will
One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.
Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.
The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “‘trending & tempting’ righteousness!”
Am I in any of these category of peoples?
The Lord challenges us today…
… to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.
We need to be people…
… “who walk the talk!”
… “who practice our Faith to please God and Him alone
… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”
The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!
Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”
As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…
… and live as Jesus would want us to!
We are reminded today that “God looks at our heart today, not just our history!”
Prophet Ezekiel tells us that ‘man is not righteous because of his past, nor condemned forever by his failures.’
‘If the wicked turns from his sins… he shall surely live’ (Ezek 18:21)
True righteousness is in a heart that turns back to the Lord…
… seeking refuge at all times in His Holy Will and His Holy Mercy.
Let’s realise that it is not just what we preach, but what we practise…
… that makes us witness as Christians!
Let our every prayer, be accompanied with works of charity…
… and our every act of devotion, be complemented with deeds of mercy!
As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always… use words, if necessary!“
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Third Commandment
Jesus rose from the dead “on the first day of the week.”
Because it is the “first day,” the day of Christ’s Resurrection recalls the first creation. (CCC # 2174)
Reflection Capsules 