Tuesday of the Twentyfirst Week in Ordinary Time ( 2 Thes 2:1-17; Mt 23:23-26) For those who think that God just watches and does nothing, Jesus clearly points out woes to certain categories of people. Of course, they can repent and turn to the Lord. But if they “do nothing” and rather continue boldly on their evil journey, they will surely experience “woes” from the Lord, instead of “blessings”. In Gospel today, we have two more categories. The first are those who are extra scrupulous. It also speaks about tithing. Now the Pharisees were very scrupulous about tithing. In fact they even tithed on things that perhaps they were never asked to in the first place (namely tithing on dill, mint and other herbs). Many even now believe and teach that if you want to win God’s blessings, you must first tithe. With Jews, the tithes came from the produce and whatever God gave them (as a symbol of thankfulness and help those who are involved totally in God’s work). However, some people are making it a sort of “bribe” to God, and calling it “seed” capital of the kingdom and so on. Some of them, then use these funds which they brainwash others into giving, for their own lavish lifestyles, rather than for spreading Good News. We note however, that Jesus does not tell us “not to tithe”. Elsewhere, He will even say, “Go sell everything, and give the money to the power, and then follow Me”. However, Jesus is perhaps challenging our wrong priorities and perhaps our thinking that God can be “bribed” into giving us ten times and even more. When God does it, it is out of His love for us. Jesus, then points out while they have considered the “negligible” things of law (like tithing of herbs, which was perhaps never asked for), they have neglected the weightier matters that God asks of us – namely justice, mercy and faithfulness. In God’s sight, these virtues of faithfulness, mercy and justice are even more important than any sacrifice. Jesus will in fact say, “If your brother has anything against you, while you are at the altar, first go be reconciled with your brother, and then come and make the offering”. Unfortunately, for the Pharisees and perhaps most of us, mercy is a virtue which we perhaps beg God of, when it comes to us, but are most strict, and demanding when it comes to others who may have hurt us. This is also true where justice is concerned. Jesus asks us to consider the things that are important, and which we miss out by being “blind”. Next, Jesus points out to those who consider “external” rituals, but are not too worried about the things that really matter. The Pharisees had pointed out against Jesus, about washing of hands. No doubt, washing of hands, cleaning of cups and all are important. No one would like to even pick up a dirty cup for a drink of water. However, we will still not drink from the cup, even if it is made of gold, and is sparkling and clean from the outside, but dirty and filthy, perhaps even with things injurious to our health. The Pharisees, were filled with hate, and all sorts of sin inside, and which Jesus could clearly see. Jesus does not say here too, that external cleanliness is not needed. However, He emphasizes on the need for being clean inside – in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 05:13:34 +0000
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