The 'Why'

Gospel Reflection for Tuesday March 18th, 2025 - Matthew 23:1-12

How is Lent going friends?

Has it been a challenge?

For me it has absolutely been a struggle, but as I read today’s Gospel I started to look to the ‘why’ behind what I was doing? What is my motivation? What’s in my heart? Is everything I am doing for Lent for show, to show others how ‘holy’ I am, or am I sacrificing to grow in love of and dependence on God?

We are in the thick of Lent now and today’s Gospel reading challenges us to examine our motives, our hearts, and our actions.

Jesus is addressing both a crowd and His disciples, acknowledging that the Pharisees have the authority to teach, and that the people should do what is taught, but with a caveat. The people should not practice as the Pharisees do, for they are only performing. Jesus doesn’t mince words, and instead drives home His message in clear speech saying that the Pharisees lay the heavy burdens of the law on the people while refusing to live under that same law. That what they do in public is all for show, and they delight in the luxuries that their authority provides, authority given to them by God. They lack the humility that their position calls them to and instead prefer the best seats in the synagogues, and being well known in the market places, or being called ‘rabbi’ by men.

Once again Jesus is calling the Pharisees hypocrites, and that they have no integrity, their actions do not align with their words.

In today’s culture it can be common place to show off, to share only the highlight reel, to exalt ourselves so we appear as more than we really are. Whether we’re sitting in Mass only to appear faithful, or participating in Lenten practices by simply going through the motions, it is always prudent to ask ourselves “who does this really glorify, ourselves or the Lord?”

As the end of today’s Gospel reading states “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

So as we continue our journey through Lent, lets remain humble, seek to glorify the Lord, and continue to reexamine our hearts, our motivations and our ‘why’ during this season, avoiding hypocrisy and instead growing deeper in love with our Lord and Savior.

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."