Do as they say, not as they do

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds to "do and observe all things whatsoever they [the Pharisees and scribes] tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice." In other words, they do not practice what they preach so do not do what they do but do what they say.

Moreover, St. Ignatius of Antioch stated the importance of truly being Christian, not just being called one: “Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but truly will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really found to be one. For if I be truly found a Christian, I may also be called one, and be deemed faithful” (Laudate). Let us not be Christians in name only, but allow our Christian identity to permeate our being so that all we do and say, our very being imitates our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This means that we should not be Christians on Sundays only or when we are on church grounds. We are not called to be Christians in a vacuum. Rather, Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, to live our lives as followers and disciples of Christ in our daily lives - at home, at work, at school, when we are out with friends, etc. It can be challenging at times but with God, nothing is impossible and He will give us the grace to be imitators of Christ - to be meek and humble of heart, faithful and true to God as Jesus was to his Father in heaven.

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Gospel of the Day

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.”