Do Not Imitate Them
March 18, 2025 - Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Matthew 23:1-12
Leadership is a double-edged sword. While it offers the opportunity to serve and uplift others, it also comes with the temptation to seek honor and recognition. In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus addresses this danger, calling out the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and reminding his disciples of the true essence of leadership: humility and service.
"Do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice" (Mt 23:3). We call this attitude hypocrisy and its worst example is someone who teaches God's commandments but at the same time transgresses them, thus dishonouring God and becoming scandal to others (Rom 2:21-24).
"They love the place of honor at feasts" (Mt 23:6). The scribes and Pharisees usurped the seat of Moses but failed to imitate his humility (Mt 23:2; Num 12:3). Instead of loving God and neighbor, as the phylacteries and fringes were meant to remind them, they loved signs of prestige: first places in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and titles like "Rabbi," "father," and "leader" (Mt 23:6-10).
"But you are not to be called rabbi" (Mt 23:8). Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His word, beautifully illustrates this statement (Lk 10:39). We will forever remain Christ’s disciples, our only Teacher. "And call no man your father on earth" (Mt 23:9). "Father" is not a title to be usurped but a sacred word belonging to God alone (Mal 2:10) and, by analogy, to our earthly fathers (Eph 3:14-15).
"The greatest among you shall be your servant" (Mt 23:11). When James and John sought positions of glory and the other apostles grew angry, Jesus reminded them that leadership in the Kingdom is service (Mk 10:35-45). Unlike worldly leaders who abuse power, there is no place for such behavior in the Church. Jesus is our Lord and Teacher. In Him alone we place our hope (Ps 131:3), and Him we imitate by serving others (Jn 13:4-5, 12-15). Saint Paul exemplifies this attitude.
Unlike the scribes and Pharisees who tied up heavy burdens, Paul avoided being a burden to the faithful in Thessalonica (1 Thess 2:9). He preferred to give rather than receive (1 Cor 9:14-18), to be "like the scum of the world" rather than seek the best seats at feasts and in synagogues (1 Cor 4:13, Mt 23:6). Those to whom he preached the Gospel became so dear to him that he was ready to sacrifice his life for them (1 Thess 2:8). No wonder this attitude bore much fruit (1 Thess 2:13).
Church proclaims that there is One God and Father of all, One Lord Jesus Christ, One Holy Spirit, one life, one faith, one baptism, and one hope. All believers form one body of Christ (1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:4-6; Heb 9:27). This recurring theme of "one" reminds us where we come from, where we are going, and who we are. Created by God, we journey toward God. Through baptism, we enter the Church, the family of God’s children, becoming brothers and sisters in Christ, our Master.
Let us heed Jesus’ warning not to imitate the pride and hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. Instead, let us embrace humility, service, and authenticity, following the example of our Lord and Teacher, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).