This is a tough chapter huh? There are a bunch of “Woes!” Woe to the blind guides, the hypocrites, and he finishes by calling them a “brood of vipers!” OUCH! I would not want to be on the end of that tongue lashing then or now or at the judgment. But it ends rather sweetly with Jesus comparing Himself to a mother hen…only the chicks would not allow themselves to be gathered. Where’s the “Hmmm” emoji when you need it? Let’s get to the Bible journaling.
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 23
P –So many nights Lord I go to bed thinking, “I could have done better.” Please help me to do better. I don’t like feeling I let myself get the better of myself…and not in a great way. I also don’t like the bad example I become when I do get the better of myself.
They teach and order well, but they live ill. They both break the law, and scandalise their subjects by their evil example, and thus incite them likewise to break the law…For men give more credit to deeds than they do to words.
The Great Commentary of Cornelius A’ Lapide
O –Here’s my take away from this chapter. I feel like a hypocrite here in this space often. I fear you come here and think I read my Bible everyday…some days I don’t. I’m afraid you see a picture where I’ve captured some beautiful light and you assume the rest of the house or yard looks that way…as I sit here and type, I have a mountain…MOUNTAIN of laundry to fold. I’m concerned you think I’ve got it all together and really I’m probably trying to figure out what it all is and where it all is. I think, you think…and maybe that’s just a big ‘ol ball of pride and you don’t even think about me, lol! I hope these are just threatening feelings and not the truth. I don’t want to be a hypocrite and Jesus go off with some “Woe to you Jenny!” I don’t want what happens here to make you feel anything less than a beautiful, wonderful, child of God.
W —vs 3…So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don’t practice what they preach.
E –I think the only way to make sure I’m staying a true course is frequenting the Sacraments, especially confession…but not in a scrupulous way. I want to better myself, not battle myself.
R –Here’s my prayer, and it’s a simple one Lord…”Show me.”
Please leave your POWERful reflections in the comments
Resource List:
My large print Bible
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament
Haydock Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible
The Great Commentary of Cornelius A’ Lapide
A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture
deb00 says
P- Dear Lord help me to not grow lax and lazy in reading Your Word. Give me a hunger for it
O- Whoa…..harsh words from a frustrated sounding Jesus. He warns against laying heavy burdens on others, performing works to be seen, loving places of honor, exalting oneself, hypocrisy, swearing in Gods name, following laws but forgetting mercy, fidelity and judgment; self indulgence, appearing righteous on the outside while filled with evildoing, not listening and heeding those in authority and feelings of superiority and pride
W- Mt 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted
E- OUCH indeed!!!!!! How many times have i acted just as the Pharisees and Scribes????
R- Lord teach me to love the Litany of Humility and say it each day with intention! May there be no duplicity in me but may what people see be who i truly am. St. Bartholomew pray for me.
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/humility.htm
Jenny says
The Litany of Humility is a good one Deb…hard, but good.
Why St Bartholomew?
deb00 says
In Mass that morning Fr. talked to us about St. Bartholomew whos memorial it was. He said although we know little about him Christ said of him that “In this man you will find no duplicity”….what you see is what you get……a very genuine follower of Christ with no hypocrisy
Jenny says
Thanks for sharing!
Michelle says
Fear not Jenny. You have been called to teach and encourage and you do it with humility and a splash of humor, coming from a place of pure experience and heart.
Good example, ha! I fail every day. But long ago, this came to me and that is: from what my parents did well, I learned to love and from where they failed, I learned forgiveness ~ even if it was exceedingly difficult at times. I believe that they never “set out” to hurt me with their weaknesses and bad example and that is what matters most. I can honestly say the same about the way I have lived, however recklessly at times.
When I hear the truth, I am convicted. Even if I haven’t conquered the weakness or stronghold, I know that I must keep trying. The problem with the Pharisees and Sadducees was that they were unwilling to repent. I am willing, but my flesh is weak.
God wants a willing soul. I am tempted at times to give up teaching my children the truth for a couple of reasons. First, because they may think I am a hypocrite and second, they may end up leaving the faith anyway, so why bother?
This is faulty because although my father struggled to live out the truths he taught me, at least I knew them. And because I knew them, I was able to come back to them. The truth doesn’t come from us really and that is why it is trustworthy in spite of our example.
Jenny says
Michelle, I always…ALWAYS appreciate your comments.