THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the second week of Lent, 2022

Isa 1:10,16-20

Ps 50

Matt 23:1-12

Come, let us reason together

Dear friends in Christ, every free and sane person wants to be responsible and able to take decisions about ones life. Even children today, would want their parents to carry them along, in the way decisions affecting their lives and future are taken. ‘Come let us reason together,’ coming from God, is an invitation to exercise our freedom responsibly, in following God’s guidance.

Our first reading today, is taken from the Book of Isaiah (1:10.16-20). In it the prophet, addresses the rulers and people of Israel, of his time, but calls them rulers of Sodom and people of Gomorrah. These were two cities long destroyed in the days of Abraham, for their wickedness and immorality. To compare these times and peoples, the prophet seems to say, the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah, awaits the people of his time, if they fail to listen. But as a proof, that repentance is the way out, he told them, “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” These are basic requirements of any nation, that seeks to please God. Greed breeds vices of all kinds, and the result is sin that are like scarlet, and as red as crimson. God however promises to make them white as snow, and like wool. It comes also with the blessing to eat the good of the land.

The Gospel of today (Matthew 23:1-12) deals with how we practice the faith. We must go beyond the show of religion, or living by the mere observance of the laws, to living by love. One major area where Jesus criticised the Pharisees and the Scribes is in the way they practiced their religion, “The scribes and the Pharisees, sit on Moses seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach but do not practice.” This is a serious indictment, on those leaders. Do not be a parent who teaches the child not to lie, but right before the same child, lies to another on phone; do not be a law enforcement agent who is breaking the law; do not be a lawmaker who violates the same laws and constitution he has sworn to protect.

The Scribes and the Pharisees loved the salutations, they loved to be called rabbi, they loved the places of honour, but failed in their bid to live what they taught. Can you carefully examine yourself? Are you better than these Scribes and Pharisees? Are you in the league of the rulers of Sodom and people of Gomorrah who failed to repent until disaster descended upon them? Take advantage of the season of Lent and repent.

Let us pray: We give you thanks Lord for your kindness and love which exceeds all we ever knew of you. Bless your word in our hearts and bless our efforts at changing our ways. Amen. 

+Remain blessed!