Reading
Matthew 23:23-26
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
Comment
This passage of the Scriptures is part of a series of seven "woes", or curses, which Jesus directs to the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. In particular, here he reproaches for having extended the payment of the tithe, foreseen by the Mosaic law for the products of the earth, even to the smallest herbs; this is a sign of their concern for small things, while they neglect what is most important in God's eyes.
The words of Jesus recall those of the prophet Micah: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Mi 6:8 ).
Jesus does not say that the rabbinic prescriptions should not be considered, but he re-establishes the right priority in the system of the law and in a certain sense overcomes it by placing love of neighbor - justice and mercy - and fidelity to God at the center of the life of the believer.
Too many times the religions, not only the rabbinic one but certainly also the Christian one, have been pleased to offer lists of "pure" and "impure" actions, ritual actions aimed at removing external impurity, "the outside of the cup and dish"(v. 25). This seems to be an unconscious strategy or an ever lurking temptation, to sabotage what is morally most important and demanding.
Sometimes it is the "doctors of the law" who make us feel "dirty", sometimes we ourselves feel so. It becomes relatively easy to feel "clean" through a confession of sin reduced to a purely external act. A confession that does not take into account selfishness, robbery, and selfishness towards others.
It is more difficult to reach a radical transformation of the heart, which only grace can bring about, where we decide - to recall once again the words of the prophet Micah - "to walk humbly with our God".
Prayer
Help us to discern your will, o Lord; May your law be a lamp for our steps, to meet the needs of our neighbor and glorify your holy Name. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
