Saturday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time
Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17
Mt 23:1-12
“…do not be guided by what they do…”
I was quite an authoritative parent. When my children were very young (they are young adults today), I remember barking instructions, “Do this!”, “Don’t do this!”, “Stop!”, “Go!”. I remember one day telling my kids not to consume their snacks in their room, telling them that there was a risk of cockroaches snacking along with them.
My wife subsequently shared something my young son had asked her after that particular episode: “Mommy, why does Daddy do those things he asked us not to?”. I had no answer to that! In fact, I did not realise that my son had been watching me all along and knew that after they went to bed for the night, it was my habit to snack and have instant noodles while watching television!
This was what was happening with the Pharisees. It was evident to the rest of the people that the Pharisees were simply paying lip service, telling others to do things that they themselves were not doing.
The Gospel of today is a great reminder for me to focus on living the true Christian life, rather than being focused on others and trying to instruct them. In doing so, we risk showing our hypocrisy. Rather than doing so, we should live like how the early Christians lived in Acts. Rather than going about telling others, they chose to live their lives as Jesus taught them to. This was what helped the community grow. Those who were drawn to join the community wanted what they could see was present in the community! The early Christians were truly authentic and lived a true Christian life!
(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)
Prayer: Help us to be real, Father. We ask that You help us continue to grow in love and faith in You.
Thanksgiving: We are grateful for Your lessons, oh Jesus. Thank You for showing us what being authentic looks like.
OXYGEN 
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