The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present some contrasts between life centered on self aggrandizement and the discipline and humility urged by the Spirit for fullness.
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah shares Accusation and Appeal of God to the Israelites.
* [1:18–20] Let us set things right: the Hebrew word refers to the arbitration of legal disputes (Jb 23:7). God offers to settle his case with Israel on the basis of the change of behavior demanded above. For Israel it is a life or death choice; life in conformity with God’s will or death for continued disobedience. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.
* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees.
* [23:5] To the charge of preaching but not practicing (Mt 23:3), Jesus adds that of acting in order to earn praise. The disciples have already been warned against this same fault (see note on Mt 6:1–18). Phylacteries: the Mosaic law required that during prayer small boxes containing parchments on which verses of scripture were written be worn on the left forearm and the forehead (see Ex 13:9, 16; Dt 6:8; 11:18). Tassels: see note on Mt 9:20. The widening of phylacteries and the lengthening of tassels were for the purpose of making these evidences of piety more noticeable.
* [23:6–7] Cf. Mk 12:38–39. ‘Rabbi’: literally, “my great one,” a title of respect for teachers and leaders.
* [23:8–12] These verses, warning against the use of various titles, are addressed to the disciples alone. While only the title ‘Rabbi’ has been said to be used in addressing the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:7), the implication is that Father and ‘Master’ also were. The prohibition of these titles to the disciples suggests that their use was present in Matthew’s church. The Matthean Jesus forbids not only the titles but the spirit of superiority and pride that is shown by their acceptance. Whoever exalts…will be exalted: cf. Lk 14:11. (Matthew, CHAPTER 23, n.d.)
Nicky Santos S.J. is drawn to the theme of true or authentic discipleship. Two aspects of true discipleship stand out. The first aspect is that the true disciple is one who is attentive to the teachings of the one true teacher (God the father) and who submits to the one true Master (Jesus Christ the son). The second aspect is that the true disciple does not seek to elevate her or his status but rather to live her or his life in loving service to the other to the point of being willing to lay down her or his life for the other.
Jesus, the true Master, not only preaches about this aspect but demonstrates it by dying on the cross for us. As disciples we are called upon to embrace these two aspects in our life. But, as we know from our experience, this is not easy, and we can easily slip into selfishness and self-centeredness. However, instead of moving into despair and hopelessness, we are called upon to hope and trust in our gracious heavenly Father and in Jesus our Master who lead us on and give us the strength to continue to build the kingdom of God here on earth. (Santos, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Who are the proud?” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Who are the proud? Those who do not perform penance and confess their sins in order to be healed through humility. Who are the proud? Those who attribute to themselves the few good qualities they seem to possess and endeavor to diminish the mercy of God. Who are the proud? Those who, while attributing to God the good they accomplish, insult others for not performing such works and raise themselves above them." (Commentary on Psalm 93, 15) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 23:1-12 comments that we may not carry enormous Bibles or wear huge crosses, but we may still want to be recognized and applauded for our faith or our reputation for holiness. Or we may hide our gifts, afraid that they’re not sufficiently worthy of admiration—a more subtle form of pride. But our weaknesses in these areas shouldn’t discourage us. On the contrary, they should make us all the more eager to seek God’s mercy and grace to change!
If you want to be humble, you don’t have to look any further than Jesus for your example. He never tried to get attention, and he never promoted himself. But he drew far more people to himself than these scribes and Pharisees ever could. That’s because he had what they needed—the love of his heavenly Father. You don’t have to impress anyone if you are following Jesus. You just have to stay close to him, and people will recognize his presence within you!
“Father, free me from the desire for praise and honor. Help me to give glory to you alone.” (Meditation on Matthew 23:1-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah speaks of the Israelites in a manner like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. We can’t survive but for the grace of God. Phylacteries and tassels are made elaborate to show how good they are. Friar Jude considers the title “Father” for Catholic priests.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces ecumenical leader and author Wes Granberg-Michaelson, for whom pilgrimage invites passionate spirituality.
A pilgrimage is a rejection of modernity’s expectations and assumptions about time, place, perception, satisfaction, speed, predictability, and the material world. As in ancient times, motives for contemporary pilgrimages are mixed. Lines between pilgrimage and tourism become blurred for some while breaks in employment prompt others to a pilgrimage more than a thirst for embodied forms of holiness. Yet pathways that move simultaneously in inward and outward directions prove irresistible to throngs roaming pilgrimage paths today.
The Spirit yearns to break out and to break open our old practices, our protective shells of comfortable spirituality, connecting our inner selves more deeply to God’s love and to God’s world. Your soul no longer stays still. It’s moving with God in the world, and moving toward God, revealed in signs or shrines or saints or surroundings. The pilgrim’s walking body holds incarnate this inner journey of the soul. (Rohr, 2023)
Comfort in our accomplishments and recognition may blind us to the humility of gratitude for our relationship with Christ and the people in our lives.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/1?10
Matthew, CHAPTER 23. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/23?
Meditation on Matthew 23:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/07/627035/
Psalms, PSALM 50. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?8
Rohr, R. (2023, March 7). Extroverted Mysticism — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/extroverted-mysticism-2023-03-07/
Santos, N. (2023, March 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030723.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Whoever Humbles Oneself Will Be Exalted. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar7
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