Authority/Power and Responsibility go together

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 20th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 21:1-12*

*First Reading : Ru 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17*

*Authority/Power and Responsibility go together*

*1) The Chair of Moses*

The Gospel of the day, makes a mention of the Chair of Moses 

This chair symbolizes the position and power of one who occupies this seat 

In fact it was believed that Moses is the Author of Torah - the first five books of the Bible and His seat symbolizes the concept power and position

This seat was occupied by the Scribes and Pharisees who take the place of Moses in teaching the people 

*2) Moses and the Scribes and Pharisees*

Moses believed what he preached and practiced what he taught to the people 

Therefore Moses is considered to be the great person whose example has to be followed by all 

Where as about the scribes and Pharisees Jesus says, learn what they teach since they are on the seat of Moses, and they teach what is right, but not to follow their example

This is because, they don't practice what they teach. This leads ones life towards hypocrisy

*3) Power and responsibility go together*

When some one has the power to do something, he/she also has the responsibility of doing what he/she preaches to others 

The dichotomy between what is practiced and what is preached shows our real personality 

This is the another form of hypocrisy. Jesus condemns such a type of hypocrisy 

*4) Who is the example for my Life?*

There is a strong warning in today's Gospel about the people whom we chose as our hero's 

Much of our life is influenced by those hero's in our life. If so who is my Hero? 

A person who is hypocrite, and if I take such a person as my hero, my life also will be affected by this hypocrisy

All saints had Jesus as their hero, and all generous people have their, hero as Jesus 

The question is who is my model or Example?

Righteous person will change our life 

So whom do I want to follow? Who is my best example for life? 

Where does the good things come??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*