Humility – Reflection on Matthew 23:27-32
Ah… Jesus is again emphasizing humility. What good am I be if I wear my faith as if it is a uniform filled with awards and badges? I must remember not to have pride in anything, especially in my call to ministry. We are unique like everyone else and should not have an expectation to be elevated in some way. It is best not to appear as a know-it-all even if we know much. Otherwise, we can appear like those who place themselves as superficial judges, thinking they know what God desires. Instead, we must strive for a simpler life. In this state of humility, it is far easier for others to visibly see Christ in us as unconditional Christian love, mercy, and compassion.
Woe unto You Scribes and Pharisees by James Tissot.
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Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 23:27-32 – Scripture*
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. 28 So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 23:27-32 Reflection – Emphasizing Humility.
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Matthew 12 Bible passage.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 12 passage.
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This Lectio Divina on Matthew 23:27-32 Reflection – Humility is in the Lectionary season of Ordinary Time.
Additional Lectio Divina Scripture reflections are available by season.