XXXI Sunday in OT:[A]:Mala1:14-2:2,8-10;1Theso2:2-9,13;Mt 23:1-12

XXXI Sunday in OT:[A]:Mala1:14-2:2,8-10;1Theso2:2-9,13;Mt 23:1-12

Introduction: Today is the 31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time and we are coming very near the end of the Liturgical Year. We are also coming to the end of Matthew's Gospel where there is a growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of his people. But there is no conflict with the ordinary people who are delighted and amazed at the words and actions of Jesus. The Scripture Readings of today contain serious attacks on the religious leadership of the time and they tell us of God’s rejection of inauthentic religious attitudes.

Exegesis: The Scribes and the Pharisees were the religious leaders of the time, occupying the seat of Moses and Jesus never questioned their authority to teach and preach. But he charged them for their hypocrisy and their pride, for they did not have integrity of life – their life lacked humility, honesty and service, and they failed to practice what they preached.

1) Jesus says the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees should be followed because they are simply handing on the truths of their faith. But their behavior is a different matter altogether. They create a double standard - they say one thing and do another. Therefore, he urges his followers to follow their teaching, but not to follow their example.

2) Jesus makes a strong observation about the way they dressed to make themselves noticed by others and respected as religious persons. In other words, Jesus criticizes their vanity and hypocrisy. He says they wear all holy costumes, headbands and tassels in front of their eyes containing inscriptions from the Scripture. They knew how to hold their arms up in prayer. They said the proper pious platitudes. They pretended to be holy, but they were not holy. And there is a clear message there about status and power.

3) Jesus says that the scribes and the Pharisees loved to be greeted in marketplaces and addressed as 'Rabbi.' The question of titles. This because they were so enamored of their self-importance and virtues. The point Jesus wants to make here is that God alone is the source all truths and He alone as the source of all life has the right to titles of Lordship or authority. And that's why he tells his disciple not to be addressed as 'Rabbi,' or 'Father,' or 'Master.'

Anecdote: Many of us even have a nasty habit of being proud of our humility. We become legends in our minds. We go to church to find out what our neighbors should do to lead better lives. He that is proud, said Shakespeare, eats himself up. Pride, says the Bible, goeth before the fall. In Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," Alice found a mushroom. When she ate one side of the mushroom, she found herself getting smaller. When she ate the other side, she got taller. Of the two situations, Alice decided smaller was better. For, as she was reduced in size, all things and people about her looked more wonderful. Less, she discovered, can be more. Small can be beautiful.

Joke:  The boss was in his new office. An employee walked in. The boss picked up the phone and started an imaginary conversation flattering himself. He signaled the worker he'd be with him shortly. The employee said, "Take your time, boss. I'm here to hook up your phone."

"A proud heart," wrote Ben Franklin, "is like a crooked fence.

Conclusion: Jesus concludes by saying, “The greatest among you must be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” In other words, greatness in leadership is shown by being at the service of others - to be servant-leaders.

Thirty first Sunday in Ordinary Time : Introduction

Saints and Events in this Week : 3 – Third – Monday - Saint Martin de Porres, religious; 4 – Fourth – Tuesday – Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop;