St Boniface of Lausanne

Tuesday, 19 February 2008

Book of Isaiah 1,10.16-20.

Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!
Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!


Psalms 50(49),8-9.16-17.21.23.

Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, nor for your holocausts, set before me daily.
I need no bullock from your house, no goats from your fold.
But to the wicked God says: "Why do you recite my commandments and profess my covenant with your lips?
You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you!
When you do these things should I be silent? Or do you think that I am like you? I accuse you, I lay the charge before you.
Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; to the obedient I will show the salvation of God."


Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23,1-12.

Then 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 Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.


From the Sayings of the Desert Fathers (4th-5th centuries)
Macarius the Great 11

"Whoever humbles himself will be exalted"

One day Abba Macarius was returning to his cell from the marshes carrying his palm leaves. Along the way, the devil came to meet him with a reaper’s scythe. He wanted to beat him with it but could not. Then the devil said to him: “Macarius, I endure a great many torments because of you because I am unable to overcome you. Nevertheless, I do all I can. You fast and I never eat; you watch and I never sleep a wink. There is only one point at which you beat me.” “Which?” asked Macarius. “It is your humility that prevents me from overcoming you.”

ATTACK PRIDE

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." –Matthew 23:12

Jesus indicted the religious leaders of His time on several counts:

1. Their words were bold but their deeds few (Mt 23:4).
2. They did not help others carry their burdens (Mt 23:4).
3. They performed their works to be seen (Mt 23:5).
4. They used religious practices to draw attention to themselves (Mt 23:5).
5. They liked to receive honor and respect (Mt 23:6-7).

In summary, the religious leaders of Jesus' time were bad examples because they were proud.

Religious leaders are not the only people tempted to fall into the sin of pride. At times, we all are like the prideful scribes and Pharisees. We should recognize this sin in our lives and repent of it. Furthermore, to resist the temptation to pride, we must do the three things Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees to do – avoid occasions of this sin, serve others, and humble ourselves.

We must take initiative in fighting pride by intentionally humbling ourselves (Mt 23:12). We should not primarily be on the defense as we try to keep the devil from making us proud. Instead, the devil should have to try to keep us from becoming humble. Humble yourself. Attack pride.