Mt 23:1-12
1Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
6They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,7greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. 11The greatest among you must be your servant.12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection:
They preach but they do not practice. The way of the humble is not uncomplaining acceptance or unconditional compliance. That is blind stupidity. In the Gospel, Jesus asks people to be selective in their compliance. Follow their words but not their examples.
The way of the humble is to practice first what one preaches, to bear the burden one asks other people to carry, to work for effecting changes and not for raising one’s standing or status, to sit with people and not to stand on them and be over them, to uplift people and recognize that power comes from them.
The way of the humble is to fall in line with the people and not seek preferential treatment, to recognize where one has come from and not to brag about who one has become. It is to be ready to be crucified for the sake of the oppressed, and to think only of humbling oneself and forget about being exalted.
Give away your seat to a stranger, your space in the elevator, your share of food.