From Lip Service to Genuine Obedience and Service
Feb 27, 2024 - Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Isaiah 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Matt 23:1-12
Today's first reading begins with a shocking indictment of the Jewish leaders and God's people during the time of Isaiah: "Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!" (Is 1:10). By referring to the leaders of Israel as the "princes of Sodom" and comparing the people of God to the "people of Gomorrah," the prophet indicates that Israel of his time resembled the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah in their sinfulness, which was "very grave" (Gen 18:20). According to Ezekiel, the sins of Sodom included "pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and committed abominations before me" (Ezek. 16:49-50). Similarly, Israel during Isaiah's time offered sacrifices but failed to keep God's commandments, leading to their hands being full of blood (see Is 1:15).
A similar indictment is found in Psalm 50, where God addresses those in Israel who offer sacrifices and profess God’s covenant, yet disobey His commandments. The Lord will not tolerate such behavior. In Isaiah, the Lord rejects the sacrifices of the people and demands obedience. To quote the famous statement of Samuel to Saul: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22). Isaiah calls the people to repentance and faithfulness to the covenant.
"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" (Is 1:16-17).
The Gospel continues this theme by accusing the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus' time of preaching the law of Moses but not practicing it in their own lives. This attitude is often referred to as hypocrisy. The scribes and Pharisees, while sitting in the seat of Moses, fail to exemplify his humility (Mt 23:2; Numbers 12:3). Instead of truly "loving" God and neighbor, which the phylacteries and fringes were meant to remind them of, they focused on their own prestige: seeking high positions in synagogues, seeking attention in the markets, and desiring titles like "Rabbi - my great one," "father," and "leader" (Mt 23:6-10).
Both Isaiah and the psalmist call their people to genuine repentance, assuring them of God's mercy. God declares through Isaiah: "Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow" (Is 1:18). And in the Psalm, we hear this promise: "To him who goes the right way, I will show the salvation of God" (Ps 50:23). Jesus, on the other hand, instructs us to distinguish ourselves from the scribes and Pharisees through genuine humility and service. He reminds us that "the greatest among you shall be your servant" (Mt 23:11).
The world and the Church are governed by opposite principles. While leaders in the nations often abuse their power, there is no place for such behavior within the Church. Jesus, our Lord and Teacher, is the one we should seek to emulate through humble service to others (John 13:4-5, 12-15).