Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Matthew 23:24 Straining Out The Gnat But Swallowing The Camel

I have been reminded that today's gospel selection, assigned to Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent, is from Matthew 23.

It reads:

Mt 23:1-12 (You ought to click on that link and read the rest of it to hear Jesus at his angry best, pitching a hissy fit!)

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
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.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”



And before that gospel is read, the first text of the day is from the old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah:


Is 1:10, 16-20

In part:

Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
Come now, let us set things right,
says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.





I think perhaps the Cardinals have misread that text. It says "redress" not "red dress".

2 comments:

Chris said...

"Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven."

Umm, Father Tony? Awkward! ;)

Tony Adams said...

Dear Chris Crain,
I think the bloggers who began calling me "Father" were doing it very much as a joke, and not, I assure you, with any reverence. I continue that blog persona, playing it as a droll role. I hope that helps, but it's a good reminder to me that some people who don't know the back story may assume, as did you, something more serious.