Fore-feast of the Procession of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord; Holy and Just Eudocimus (840)
Read
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3; Matthew 23:23-28
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Why is Jesus so hard on the Pharisees and scribes? At least in part, it was because they were leaders – earlier in this chapter, Jesus calls them successors of Moses, and even tells his disciples to “observe everything they tell you.” But he doesn’t want his disciples (or us) to act like them, because they have lost sight of the deeper purpose of the Jewish Law, observing the outward rituals for the sake of their reputation (as Jesus says earlier in this chapter, “all their works are performed to be seen”). The desire to set a decent example is praiseworthy, but the Pharisees let this desire become warped by their pride, and end up missing the heart of the Law: “justice, and mercy, and faith.”
In the sermon on the mount, we see a different way of spiritual life, one with the relationship with God at its heart, rather than reputation. When you pray, pray in secret; when you fast, act cheerful; when you give alms, don’t draw attention to it – and your Father who sees all things will reward you. This is a hard way to live – everything inside us screams that we need affirmation from those around us; that we must build our reputation; that unless someone knows what we’re doing, it doesn’t really count. But Jesus calls us to rely instead on God’s love. It’s because we are already children of the Father that we can pray, fast, and give alms in secret, and enter into the mystery of God’s law: the gift of his justice, mercy, and faithfulness towards us, though his Son Jesus Christ.