Homily: Second Tuesday of Lent
Second Tuesday of Lent (Mt. 23:1-12) “People in Glass Houses”
This Gospel always challenges me because I am a religious leader. I ask myself a lot of questions. Jesus is critical about what the Pharisees and scribes wore. They were often ostentatious in their religious garb. He speaks of wearing tassels. He also criticizes them for seeking titles.
The thing that puzzles me is that Jesus wore tassels. We hear how a woman touches the tassel on his cloak and is healed in the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Throughout the Gospels we hear Jesus referred to as rabbi. He does not correct those who address him in this way.
There is another message here other than the fact that ministers should be careful about how they dress and careful about seeking power. Religious leaders should be careful about these things but there is something even more important. And this second message is something that everyone needs to pay attention to even if we are not clergy.
We need to be careful about binding up heavy burdens for others to carry. Members of the church have had a habit from the beginning that revolves around judging. If people do not live according to the morals that we think are important we all can be critical of that.
Our moral vision is 20/20 when we look at others behavior but when we look at our own shortcomings, we have a blind spot. This seems to be a part of human nature.
Jesus asks us to be aware of our own sinfulness. This is something we need to be honest about. If we are then we become more accepting of others.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is a sin that others commit that makes me unhappy? Do I commit similar sins?
2. Do I bind up heavy loads for others to carry? How might I make them lighter?
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we will be sharing more information on the “His Hand our Hearts” program. This is a program that asks everyone to reflect on their donations to the church.
We have deliberately asked people to think about their almsgiving during Lent. How are we doing? If everyone supported the parish financially, we could do even greater things for Jesus. Please listen closely this Sunday.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,
Fr. Mark