Various faces of Hypocrisy

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 23:1-12*

*First Reading : Is 1:10, 16-20*

*Various faces of Hypocrisy*

*1) Jesus calls Scribes and Pharisees as Hypocrites*

The Gospel of Matthew chapter 23 speaks about the Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees 

*Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.* Mt 23:27

*2) Various faces of Hypocrisy*

The Gospel of the day speaks about various faces of Hypocrisy

*A) Duplicity*

Duplicity consists in saying one thing and practicing different 

Failure to practice what one preaches is nothing but hypocrisy 

Jesus says *For they preach but they do not practice*

*B) External Show*

There is nothing good from inside. 

*All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.*

*C) Enjoying life at the cost of others pain*

Jesus says *They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them*

This is how one exploits the other for the power, and for pleasures of life 

*D) Self exaltation*

Projecting one as important, good, and holy. But in reality, life may be quite opposite

Greetings in market place, salutations, addressing them as Rabbi shows how they exault themselves. This is the another form of hypocrisy 

*E) Lack of Humility*

This once again amounts to pride and arrogance

Pride and arrogance nothing but the another face of hypocrisy 

*3) Service as antidote to Hypocrisy*

Jesus shows what can defeat the hypocrisy 

Jesus shows humility and sincere service coupled with true love can defeat the hypocrisy 

Becoming servant to practice the values of Jesus and to build the Kingdom of God, will really defeat the hypocrisy to become genuine disciples of Jesus 

*4) How about my Life?*

Am I affected with hypocrisy? 

How does hypocrisy works in my life? 

Have I realised some of my attitudes which depicts the aspect of hypocrisy? 

How can I overcome from the shadows of Hypocrisy? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*