“... the worst possible heritage to leave with children: high spiritual pretensions and low performance.”

“He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” ― Sigmund Freud: (1856 –1939: was an Austrian neurologist

Gospel Text: (MT 23:1-12)

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.

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."

The Gospel reading tells us to avoid hypocrisy, not to believe in one thing and act in a different way, not to pretend to be what one is not.

Jesus warns all about the hypocritical behavior of the Pharisees and the leaders of the Jews, "The teachers of the Law sat on the seat of Moses. So you shall do and observe all they say, but do not do as they do, for they do not do what they say. They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even raise a finger to move them."

   

God reads our minds and sees what we really are; he knows if we really wish to glorify God or only ourselves.

Let us reflect on our actions: do we act according to the truth and to what we believe?