Seat of honour in the synagogue is a sign of contradiction

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Wednesday

GOSPEL Lk 11:42-46

First Reading - Gal 5:18-25

Seat of honour in the synagogue is a sign of contradiction

1) Synagogue is a place of Prayer

For Jews synagogue is a holy place meant for prayer, proclamation of the Word and to praise and thank God.

Synagogue is equal to a temple in our context. For us temple is a very holy place and we give a special importance to this place 

It is a place where we encounter the presence of God and have deep spiritual experience

2) Synagogue/Temple is a place to Honour God and not Human Beings

Temple is a Holy place to Honour God. 

Honouring God means we acknowledge the greatness and goodness of God in our life 

Honouring God means we accept the God is everything in our life and without God there is no meaning for our life. 

3) When Human beings crave honour in the synagogue/temple - it's equal to claim the place of God

Temple is a place to honour God. But when a human being crave for this honour innrhe the temple He/She is trying to take the place of God 

Craving honour in the temple is very dangerous, because it is trying to take the place of God, which is very dangerous

In extreme cases it is the attitude of claiming that some one is Equal to God or some one is God. Such an attitude is not right 

4) Some one who craves honour in the temple has no spirituality

The one who craves honour in the temple his/her concentration is only about honour

Such a person is not able to pray or praise God. He/she does not value praising and thanking God. 

5) Jesus condemns such an attitude

Jesus says one who is craving honour in the synagogue is a hypocrite. 

Jesus condemns such an hypocrisy and Jesus is harsh on such people 

One can't equate synagogue to a place of craving honour. Such an attitude is morally wrong. 

6) My attitude in the Temple

Am I like the pharasee who craves for honour in the temple?

Do I go to temple to exhibit myself? 

Do I use temple to show off myself and my wealth and my possessions?

Think About it

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore