7 March, 2023 | Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

 Gospel Mt 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."

Reflections: 

In today’s gospel Jesus teaches us that authority is not for power but for empowering and enabling. It is to serve with love not by controlling or dominating or claiming special privileges. He tells us the greatest among us is the one who best serves the needs of those around him or her. Jesus is teaching us that if we truly want to serve we must be ready to forget ourselves and let go of our ego and not to aspire for greatness in our service. St Paul speaks of Jesus that he emptied himself taking the form of a servant and that he humbled himself, even to the point of death on the cross. We are called to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Lent is a time when we try to enter more fully into the mind and heart of Jesus. 

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