Breaking the Word

Then 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 Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Mt 23:1-12)

 

 

Chair of Moses (teaching authority) should be respected. Whoever sits on the chair is a man of respect. They do the job of Moses. But all those who sit on this chair are not faithful to their duty. Some do the work of only preaching and they forget that they have to be witnesses as well. What they preach had to be shown in their lives as examples which they fail. Teaching ministry is to be respected though witnessing is not accompanied.

 

Their religious practices are multiplied. Their religious practices are also visible because they widen phylacteries and lengthen the tassels. They have only external practices and they do not do it with their heart. Their practices are only get the attention of the viewers. They want to be noticed and observed. Their religious ministry is visible and noticeable but not lived (in their inner self).

 

They rely on their social status. They long for social honour and respect and greetings. The places of social gatherings:  market places, banquets etc become the places of importance for them. They love social respects and positions and places of honour. But for Jesus and his followers there is only one: TEACHER, MASTER AND FATHER .

 

 

On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Lk 14:1,7-11 )

 

 

Jesus was not opposed by Pharisees in general as we would often think. He had few friends among the Pharisees as well. (There was Nicodemus, Simon etc) Here it is said as a leading Pharisee. Jesus dined with them would only add to say that he had fellowship and relationship with them. There Pharisees who agreed to Jesus’ teachings and preaching but could not follow him because of the society or posts or positions.

 

In the parable he brings out the same idea. People were giving importance o places of honor. Only the host knows the people whom he has invited for the feast and he only knows the people of importance. It is he, at the end of it all, arranges people according to the order of preferences. He has the list of honor that he wants to give to his invitees.

 

Invited guests may have their own idea about themselves and their relationship with the host. They might think that they are the people of importance. Jesus tells his listeners not to under estimate others. Under estimation or over estimation of the self is wrong in the place where one is invited. One should always think that the other is better than oneself.