Gospel – Matthew 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.”
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
The gospel reminds us to not fall prey to the “do as I say not as I do” attitude and to practice humility. A quote of St John Baptist de La Salle to “Preach by example, and practice before the eyes of the young what you wish them to accept” is in direct opposition to the actions of the scribes and the Pharisees. Let the image our students see raised above all others be that of our Father, not of one of us.
We pray that we are deliberate in our actions with each other to convey a Lasallian brotherhood with our peers and our students. “The way you behave should be a model for those you teach.”
Ms. Carol V. Haggerty
La Salle College High School – Wyndmoor, PA
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.