Matthew 23: 1-12
Jesus challenges in the Gospel today some of the religious leaders who were great talkers, looked good from the outside but didn’t practice what they preached. It was all about them and their position. Jesus says we are all brothers and sisters. We are called to be servants to one another. From the greatest to the least. All authority belongs to God and it is to God that we owe our time and service. We are all his children, worthy of respect and deserve a listening ear and the opportunity to make a contribution. To use any authority we have to ensure that we listen to a diversity of voices not just those that agree with our point of view.
How many people in authority have been seduced by power and their position and fallen into the trap of serving their own interests and those who benefit from their approach rather than the people they have been called to serve?
When we put ourselves on a pedestal and begin to believe in our self importance we are in danger of being knocked down. When we choose to serve as a brother/sister to brothers/sisters, then we are likely to meet support, understanding and cooperation.
The recent synod I believe has attempted to do this and facilitate more of a listening Church.
Today’s Gospel, addressed to all of us, calls for integrity and honesty, where there is no pulling of rank or double standards. We are called to share what we have and are for the benefit of all.
Blessings on your week.
You may like to listen to 'Find our voice' track 7 from 'Like a beautiful day.'
Bartimaeus was a beggar
A man who couldn’t see
He heard Jesus was coming
He cried out ‘Pity me’
When the crowd told him
‘Be silent’
He shouted all the more
Jesus heard his pleading.
His sight he did restore
And a woman was a stranger
Her daughter was possessed
She begged Jesus to heal her
The Saviour was impressed
Despite her cultural difference
He listened to her need
He told her go home happy.
Your daughter has been freed.
They found their voice
And we can too
They made the choice
As we can do
And then another was a leper
Who pleaded on his knees
If you want to you can cure me
Get rid of this disease
Jesus touched the outcast and said
Be cured my friend
He couldn’t keep it secret
How could he in the end?
We make the choice
To speak our truth
We make the choice
To find our voice
There are voices that are silent
Ones we need to hear
And there are voices that are silent made to disappear
Help us Jesus with our choices to face the fears that keep us bound
We can jump up, run towards you
Find our voice and stand our ground