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When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with
hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for
they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. Luke
11:53–54
Over the past few days, we have been reading Saint Luke’s version
of Jesus’ “Woe to you” rebukes of the scribes, Pharisees and the
scholars of the law. Today’s Gospel concludes these rebukes of love
by pointing out that these religious leaders did not convert.
Instead, they began plotting against Jesus so as to “catch him at
something he might say.” This is what happens when people use God's
holy law as a weapon to attack.
Normally, we take inspiration from the Holy Scriptures in a
positive way, meaning, by reflecting upon Jesus’ words and actions
and applying them to our lives. However, we can also learn from the
evil others commit and allow their actions to inspire us to avoid
their sin. In today’s Gospel, we are invited to ponder the
obsessive plotting of these religious leaders so as to consider
whether we also are guilty of their sin.
First, note that at the conclusion of Jesus’ rebukes, these
religious leaders “began to act with hostility” toward Jesus.
Normally, when we act with hostility toward another, it is done
with the mindframe that we are right and they have done something
wrong. We justify our hostility by pointing to their perceived sin.
However, it must be understood that every act of hostility on our
part is a clear indication that we have started down the road of
sin and are not justified in our obsession.
Notice also that these religious leaders exercised their hostility
toward Jesus by interrogating Him. In other words, in their anger,
they kept asking Him questions so as to find some fault with Him.
They tried to trick Him and trap Him with their speech using God’s
very Law handed down through Moses and the prophets. But they
manipulated that Law so as to justify their hostility and, out of
pride, to falsely accuse Jesus.
Think about any times in your life in which you found yourself
somewhat obsessed with what you judged to be the sin of another.
Hostility in this case can even be passive, meaning you may present
a kind disposition on the surface, but interiorly you are
obsessively thinking about how you can condemn the person. Often
when this happens, we can feel justified in that we convince
ourselves that justice must be done and that we are the dispensers
of that justice. But if God is in control of our lives, He will not
call us to obsessive plotting in regard to another. Instead, when
we are following the will of God, we will sense Him inspiring us to
act with immediacy, calm, joy, kindness, honesty, and freedom from
all anger and obsession.
Reflect, today, upon any way that you have seen this
misguided tendency within your own life. If you can identify a time
when you struggled with hostility toward another, look at the fruit
it bore. Was God glorified through your actions? Did this leave you
at peace or agitated? Were you fully objective in your thinking? Be
honest with these questions and you will begin to discover the road
to freedom from such obsessive thinking. God wants you to be at
peace. If there is injustice, trust that our Lord will sort it out.
You, for your part, must continually work to forgive, act with
charity, and direct your attention to the will of God as it is
gently presented to you.
My patient and kind Lord, You were falsely accused and condemned
by many of the religious leaders of Your time because You spoke the
pure truth with love, clarity and boldness. When I act with
hostility and anger toward another, help me to turn from these sins
so that I will never condemn, never judge and never manipulate Your
divine Law for my own purposes. Fill me with Your peace and charity
alone, dear Lord. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: Christ Accused by the Pharisees
by Duccio di Buoninsegna, via Wikimedia Commons
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