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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.” Matthew 23:1–3
Why do you do what you do? Even when our actions appear good,
reverent, or charitable, they can be motivated by pride. The
scribes and Pharisees struggled with this very sin. They often
performed their acts of piety and charity not to glorify God but to
win the praise of others. They were quick to judge others while
failing to practice what they preached. This hypocrisy led many to
view them with disdain. Therefore, Jesus’ public rebukes of the
religious leaders must have consoled those who had been mistreated
under their leadership. His words provided both corrections and
hope for those seeking authentic faith.
Jesus condemns the religious leaders more than a dozen times
throughout the Gospels, making them a significant aspect of His
mission. Jesus came to bring both healing and truth, and
confronting hypocrisy was necessary to restore justice within the
community. But why did Jesus take such a firm stance against them?
Wouldn’t it have been easier to seek peace and unity through
kindness, avoiding conflict and division?
It’s important to understand that true kindness is a fruit of
charity. But for kindness to be truly charitable, it must always
seek the good of the other. Charity is not merely about making
people feel good; it is rooted in divine truth. If Jesus had simply
said, “We should be nice to the scribes and Pharisees, no matter
what,” this would not have been true charity. Jesus’ rebukes sought
to awaken the religious leaders from their spiritual blindness and
protect the people from their harmful example. True charity often
requires correction.
In our own lives, we must also examine our motivations. Are our
acts of piety and charity truly for the glory of God, or are they
done to be seen and praised by others? When we embrace the Gospel,
we must accept that we might sometimes hear uncomfortable truths.
Genuine love does not shy away from correction but seeks the
ultimate good of the other, even when it challenges us to change.
Therefore, we must see ourselves as the scribes and Pharisees,
needing rebuke and correction.
Additionally, there are times when God uses us to correct others
out of love. Parents do this for their children, guiding them with
patience and tenderness so they may grow in virtue. In the same
way, teachers are called to instruct their students, imparting
knowledge and forming their character with care and wisdom.
Spiritual directors, priests, and confessors gently guide souls on
the path to holiness, helping them to discern areas of growth and
sin, always in the light of God’s mercy and truth.
Reflect today on Jesus’ charitable words to the scribes and
Pharisees. First, hear Jesus’ words spoken to you. Humble yourself
so you are open to such loving rebukes. Allow yourself to become
more aware of your pride and self-righteousness so that you can
change. Also, be open to how God might want to use you to confront
others charitably. While Jesus alone is the Judge, He sometimes
uses us as instruments of His judgment for those open to hearing
His voice through us. Humbly consider this role, allowing God to
use you as He wills. Always speak with gentleness and love,
imparting the hard truth another needs to hear, never with cruelty
or harshness.
My just Lord, Your just judgments flow from the unfathomable
charity within Your Sacred Heart. You desire all men to be saved
and to turn to You. Please humble me so that I never reject Your
just judgments but receive them with joy so that I may repent and
grow closer to You. I also place myself at Your service as an
instrument of Your justice for others in accordance with Your will.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Jesus wakes lazarus by Robert Wilhelm Ekman
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