Collect for fourth Sunday Before Advent
O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask in faith may be given to us according to Your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13
Matthew 23: 1-12
“Do as I say, not as I do”. The mantra of hypocritical leaders through the ages. It is important to note that Jesus makes a clear distinction between the righteous observance of the Law and the self-important practice of the Pharisees. They have authority vested in them according to tradition, and they are responsible for guiding the religious life of the people. Jesus makes it clear that people must follow their instruction. He endorses Temple worship and prayer traditions, such as Phylacteries to act as scriptural guides, and the fringes on their ritual clothes as reminders of the Commandments as prescribed in the Book of Numbers (15:37-40).
But He is scathing about the way in which the Pharisees themselves make ostentatious gestures of holiness without any substance or obedience to the significance of the Law in their own daily lives. Their faith is superficial in the extreme – they parade the outward signs of holiness, without there being any inward belief. They are power-seeking politicians, out for themselves alone. The gospel passage above is merely an introduction to a list of the accusations that follow. Later in the chapter, He calls them not just hypocrites, but also blind guides, a brood of vipers, the descendants of those who murdered the prophets and who will continue to do so.
And when He tells people that they are not all be served, but instead to be servants themselves, He simply goes too far. He is undermining the whole foundation of Temple hierarchy, with them insisting on being paid deference and using titles like ‘Rabbi’ as a badge of rank. Not really any wonder, then that they will double their efforts to get rid of Him.Previous Posts
Praying Together 15th December 2024
Be careful what you say in a restaurant – someone might overhear…
Praying Together 8th December 2024
You’ve a chance to start again, but it begins with you admitting that you need to repent, and then be ready – because your life is going to change forever.
An Advent Meditation
As He is always present with Mary, so He is present with me, and with you, too.
Praying Together 24th November 2024
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
Praying Together 17th November 2024
However we understand it, it is the Spirit-led recognition of His presence at the heart of our Eucharist that changes our lives and sets us free to be His Body on earth.
Praying Together 10th November 2024
Nowadays, my act of Remembrance is in working for a future for children, grandchildren and generations of every race and nation to come
Praying Together 3rd November 2024
This week, there is so much needing our prayer that words are not enough. We need to take our issues of concern to a much deeper level.
Praying Together 20th October 2024
God of all peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world, and on your people who cry out to you for healing, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 13th October 2024
If the love of our worldly possessions prevents us from loving Him first, we’re stuck on earth.
The rich young man has a decision to make. So do we.
Praying together 29th September 2024
His truth is simple – it is Love. Love of God and Love of neighbour.
Praying Together 22nd September 2024
Who’s the GOAT?
That question is guaranteed to provoke endless argument, the claimed candidate being dependent on personal allegiances, age, culture and experience.
Praying Together 15th September 2024
Jesus makes it very clear that following him appears costly – if you measure it in human terms.