SATURDAY- 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12: They do not practise what they preach.

I Reading: Ezekiel 43:1-7: The glory of the Lord arrived at the Temple.

The Warning against False Religion, Mt 23:1-12

The most severe attack Christ ever spoke against a people. The true nature of these religionists, the scribes and Pharisees, is clearly seen as Christ opened up the hypocrisy of their lives and religion point by point. In this particular passage, Christ warned against their religion-a religion which stands as a symbol of the false religions of the world.

1.     Jesus spoke to the crowds and to the disciples (v.1)

2.     False religion is a religion that claims to “sit” in the truth, Moses’ seat (v.2)

3.     False religion is a religion of hypocrisy (v.3)

a.     It is good to obey their preaching

b.    It is not good to follow their practice

4.     False religion is a religion of heavy burdens (v.4)

a.     Leaders imposed heavy burdens upon others

b.    Leaders did not impose the burdens upon themselves

5.     False religion is religion of show, of display (v.5-7)

a.     A religion of appearance: dress, clothing

b.    A religion of position: positions that honor and exalt people

c.      A religion of titles: titles that honor and exalt people

6.     False religion is a religion to be guarded against (v.8-12)

a.     Because position and relationships are already established

1)    God is your Father

2)    Christ is your Teacher

3)    You are brothers

b.    Because greatness is measured by service

c.      Because judgement is coming

Thought: God has no favourites among people. Why should we seek to appear as a favourite? Why should we seek appearance, position and honor that would point toward us a being special?

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