“As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.”

matthew 23:8

Matthew 23:1-12

Reflection

Jesus tells the crowds to not imitate the behavior of the Pharisees and scribes. They enjoy putting heavy burdens on people and making public acts of piety, but are prideful in most everything. Jesus says that all are brethren and no one should seek to be first, for they will be last.

Putting our religious piety on display will only put us in the contempt of the Lord. Making ourselves out to be better than we are shows a lack of humility. As disciples of Christ, we are called to be meek and humble, just like Jesus. We are asked to cultivate our interior life for the Lord, not put our supposed holiness on display for all to marvel at.

It can be hard to act humbly when surrounded by friends, family, or coworkers who we know aren’t religious and Catholic. We can feel that we ought to show them how good or holy we are. But Jesus cautions against this, saying that whoever exalts himself before others will be humbled.

Let us cultivate humility in our lives, especially during Lent. Be faithful to the Lord in your actions and words, humbly submitting to his will.

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Saint of the Day

St. Cyril of Jerusalem: AD 315 – 386

“Since He Himself has declared and said of the bread: This is My Body, who shall dare to doubt any more? And when He asserts and says: This is My Blood, who shall ever hesitate and say it is not His Blood?”   St. Cyril