The Memorial of St. Augustine
~~~ 2 Thes 2: 1-3a, 14-17 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Matthew 23: 23-26 ~~~
St. Augustine is called the Doctor of Grace.
Once again the scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites
get an in your face experience from Jesus....
"...You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin..."
I can just see it now if we were to start bringing herbs and
pungent spices as our offering to church each week.
Is this really what it means to tithe?
I think, not.
Jesus goes on to tell them what they have been ignoring instead...
"...have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity."
They have neglected judgment to the point that they have appointed
themselves as the judge and the jury.
They had the final say,
because after all they were the law scholars.
No offense to the lawyers out there.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of judging others.
We can come up with so many reasons as to why
we are justified in judging someone.
Next time you are tempted to judge someone, pause
for a minute and ask yourself,
'Why do I feel the need to judge this person?'
They have neglected mercy because when you are always right
what use is mercy to you.
Mercy is for those who want to make amends with their
fellow community and family members.
Mercy is for the weak those you pity.
They did not have time to be bothered with mercy.
Mercy requires that you actually hear what the other person has to say.
Mercy is not only about your side of the story.
Mercy is something freely given to each of us by God.
Mercy requires compassion and kindness extended toward others.
The scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites had no time for this either.
If you are the judge and jury mercy is not part of the equation.
Lastly Jesus chooses to include fidelity.
We are not talking about the well known insurance company here.
The dictionary defines fidelity as faithfulness to a cause, person, or belief
demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.
Instead of being faithful to the teachings of the Lord;
they become the nit pickers.
Scrutinizing the dot on every i and the cross on each t
became their greatest concern.
Jesus does not stop here he continues to pour more fuel on the fire...
"...Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!"
There are times when the little things would be better ignored
so that you can address the larger concepts.
You know how very tiny a gnat is compared to a camel.
Furthermore a camel can store up 'stuff' in those signature humps.
They just totally miss the point.
I know some educators exactly like this with their students.
Is the student getting the work done precisely as the teacher has instructed?
Are the margins set to the teacher's specifications?
You get the point.
But here comes the real clincher from Jesus.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean."
He points out that they are lacking in self examination.
The have not been inclined to look at their own self.
They are so busy with judging and scrutinizing everyone else.
They do not see their own internal corruption.
This is true for ourselves too.
If we take care of our spiritual self, that is the tending of our soul
we will also have a beautiful outside.
Whatever is inside will show on the outside.
We only pretend to believe that people cannot see who we really are.
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord.
Why do you think that psalm was written?
I think because if we keep ourselves on the the right track
it will be reflected in how we deal with others.
We will recognize that all judgment comes through God.
We will practice extending mercy to others even when it is difficult.
We will be faithful to the gospel message even when we find it challenging.
May the outside of your cup truly reflect the fine wine
stored within your heart.
St. Augustine, lead us to truth and knowledge.
