Matthew 23: 1-12
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."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for Fr. Corapi.
For the past hour, I have been sitting in front of this reading. I started typing out various ideas along the way ...
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- We are all imperfect, and that should bring us freedom to love God Who not only "spoke" but also "humbled Himself to be exalted" ...
- Tie it into a situation in my life right now, where I see hypocrisy in a situation in my life. From there, bring it around to highlight that although they may be hypocritical, remember that God provides and He is the just Master, Father, Servant ...
- Christ does not ask us to do anything that He Himself did not do. Then point to Philippians 5 (He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. / Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name) ...
* * *
While writing each idea out, I kept on thinking to myself that I needed it to sound eloquent and well thought out. Instead, what came out was humbling because, well, nothing came out.
With that, in my latest lesson of humility, I recognize that I have but one Master, and it is not me. I have but one Father, and it is not me. I have but one Teacher, and it is not me. It is God Who is exalted in my humility. As such, united with Him in and through humility, I am exalted when He is exalted.
Praise God, Who is the giver of all good gifts. Take care and God Bless.
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