Homily Second Tuesday of Lent (Mt. 23:1-12) “Hey Look at Me, I’m Holy”
Homily Second Tuesday of Lent (Mt. 23:1-12) “Hey Look at Me, I’m Holy”
Phylacteries. I read that word for a long time before I really understood what a phylactery was. This has to do with a Jewish practice that at first glance does not look like anything that we have in the Catholic religion. Once I understood what a phylactery was, I consequently have seen Jewish people in pictures praying and wearing them.
Perhaps we have seen pictures as well. In the pictures we will see people with leather straps around their head holding a box in place that is in the middle of their foreheads. A Jew might also have a leather band running up their arm fastening a small container on their forearm.
What is in these little boxes? Scripture quotes are in them. The concept is that if Bible verses are tied to the body it is a symbol of great respect for the word of God and a statement that “The Word” needs to be absorbed. Usually, the scripture is from the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.
Jesus was critical of some of the scribes and Pharisees because they had made the phylacteries bigger and more ornate so that they would be more noticeable. It was all about attracting attention to their person. They believed people would look at them and be impressed with how religious they were.
We might think it strange to tie scriptures to the body, but don’t Christians do some of the same things. People might wear dozens of religious medals for example or an over size cross. Isn’t this about attracting attention. If we are secure with ourselves and with God, we need not do such things. Our holiness will radiate out from us with out the necessity of a material sign.
Reflection Questions:
- Does wearing a certain piece of clothing or wearing a religious insignia equate with holiness? What does?
- Jesus probably wore phylacteries at times. How do you suppose he used such religious symbols?
Dear Parishioners,
During the last ten days our Pastoral Council has been calling people from Sacred Heart to see how people are. This is the third call that we have made to the whole parish during the pandemic. People have appreciated the calls and have made some good comments.
It continues to be a challenge to maintain contact with parishioners. Many people do not answer their phone if it is a landline. I appeal to all of you, once again, to tell those that you know that we are having services in church and online. As more and more people are inoculated, I would hope that people would be safe and might attend Mass again. We will see how infections go. I do not want our parish to let down its guard too soon.
May our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark