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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The greatest among you…

The greatest among you…

Published Feb 26, 2024 04:07 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

After denouncing the scribes and the Pharisees in Jerusalem for their inconsistencies, like not practicing what they preach, but requiring others to do without extending a helping hand, and having penchant for undue recognition wherever they go—they just want to be acknowledged as the greatest in the community—Jesus teaches the crowds and his disciples not to follow their example. Instead, they should strive to be servants. The servant stands at the service of others. He has no other priority than to look after their needs. 

His listeners should not imitate those hypocrites who only want to control and to extract praises which they do not deserve. Jesus knows how miserable they are in the eyes of God. They are ignorant of what true religion is all about.
 

Responsorial Psalm • Psalm 50 

“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”

 

Gospel • Matthew 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.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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REFLECTIONS 366 Days with the Lord
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