March 18, 2025

Matthew 23:1-12

In today’s reading, Jesus cautions against the hierarchy and ossification that can occur in organized religion, which in his day was the Jewish synagogue structure, represented by the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus teaches, “Do whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example,” because they preach but don’t practice. They prescribe onerous burdens on people but don’t lift a finger to help them. They make their religious adornments bigger to be more noticeable; they are proud of their titles and positions.  Sadly, does this not also sound like some parts of the Church today?

Instead, Jesus asks his followers to be equals, as “you are all brothers.” Is this not the opposite of hierarchy? No one is called “Master,” because only Christ is our master. To be greatest, be a servant of others.  If you exalt yourself, you will be humbled, but if you humble yourself, you will be exalted. Therefore the hierarchy is flipped upside down.  This again is a law of how things work in God’s kingdom.  A natural consequence of exalting oneself is that one will be humbled.  What goes up must come down, some say.

There is peace in being humble and ordinary, in caring for the least of the creatures on earth.  There is peace among the working poor, to dress simply, and to care for nature and dwell among its creatures. One does not need to aspire to be great or achieve recognition. What God has provided is blessed; to be amidst and be content with what one has it is blessed.  That is all for today.