THE WORD
Rom 3: 21–30 / Lk 11: 47–54
Jesus exclaimed: “Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
IN OTHER WORDS
The Bible speaks a lot about hypocrisy. On many occasions Jesus himself denounces both hypocrites and hypocrisy. What are they exactly? Dictionary.com gives us a useful definition of a hypocrite: “A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.” Or “A person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.”
Does this sound familiar to us? Can we name people who fit this description? Certain politicians perhaps? Various government officials? True enough and sometimes even spectacularly so. However, let’s not be too selective. Can we recognize ourselves there as well? It is important to realize that the words of Jesus are no longer being addressed to the Pharisees of long ago. They are now being addressed to the people of our time and place, including each one of us. Do we not have to constantly struggle to have our actions and way of life live up to our words? Will we ever completely succeed in the struggle?
We priests should be the first to admit how difficult it can be to live what we preach. We need great humility to admit that we are so inadequate at times and to trust in God to complete what is lacking in us. Let the words of the great St. Teresa of Jesus, our saint of today be our support and consolation: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things pass away, God never changes. Patience obtains all things. He who has God finds he lacks nothing. God alone suffices.”
- John O’Mahony, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
