Matthew 23 for Today

Jesus spoke to the people and to the faithful saying, “The Pope, many bishops, some priests, and even some of the self-righteous laity have taken their seat on the chair of Peter. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. Doctrine is more important to them than relationships. Right belief is more important than right 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 have turned Jesus’ community of inclusive table fellowship into an exclusive club. They don their cassocks and birettas and lengthen their coppa magnas. They love places of honor at state banquets, seats of honor in cathedrals and churches, greeting in the marketplace and honorific titles. Call no one Your Holiness because God alone is Holy. Call no one Your Excellency because God alone is Excellent. Call no one Father because you have but one Father in heaven. Call no one Master because Christ alone is your Master. The greatest among you must be your servant. The most exalted among you must wash your feet. Whoever exalts him/herself will be brought low. But whoever humbles him/herself will be exalted.