Teach Them

Today’s Gospel Text: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:15-20

Reflection: One of the lessons we learn from this paragraph of scripture is that of forgiveness.

But there are other lessons too and one of them is the Christian attitude towards morality, ethics and the importance of education and teaching people the right doctrine.

The task that Jesus enjoins on us is not an easy one;  imagine, the brother who sins against you is that wild one, the notorious type who may come back to trample you under his foot for having given him the pearl of a good advice on good behavior. (cfr. Mt. 7:6)

That would always be difficult but scripture always teaches us the extremes of love “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

Jesus did it perfectly on the cross and likewise his dedicated disciples.

We as Christians are called to teach the world the morality of living, which primarily begins with teaching ourselves first in the school of Christ, who still teaches us the way of God:

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (cfr. 1 Jn. 2:27)

It is only after we have learned in this school, with the tradition, scripture and magisterium to enable us that we can be instruments to correct our brothers and sisters when in the wrong.

If anyone thinks that this is like acting superior then they are self-conceited and do not understand the revealed word of God; Jesus Christ.

They could be termed as pseudo-disciples or pseudo-Christians working like fifth columns as Satan’s instrument to destroy the church of Christ.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Eph 5:17

Prayer:  Lord, we thank you for the anointing you give us, may we always seek to learn from what you have given us.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Listen to Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:  Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" - not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36

Reflection: It is a normal trend among most Christians to go by the scripture; Sola Scriptura, i.e. by the written word of God and nothing more and nothing less.

Yet among these are those who may claim to go purely by the word and in many aspects of their interpretation may have their own additional  sources to go by.

Then there are some Christians who are Christians only for name sake, who prefer to listen to themselves and make their own judgments about things and will have their own world view which is contrary to the faith.

Yet these may fulfill their Christian obligations either out of pure habit or a false fear of God or could it be a fear of being ostracized from a Christian community.

Surprisingly they will even teach the adherents of the Christ doctrine what to do and what not to do.

Just as the protestants go by the written word of God, likewise Catholics would go purely by what they have inherited from their parents and would listen to men and women authorized to preach.

Some will diligently study the word of God in the light of sound tradition and magisterium which serves these two pillars of faith.

Are we really doing the right thing in all these things by going by these routine acts, the way we go about?

If the starting point of our action is not sowed in obedience to God then all our actions can be wrong and mislead us?

The key issue is listening to the living Jesus who is with us in the power of the Holy Spirit: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (vs. 35)

Some of us may be actually practicing this injunction from God without knowing it. Aware of it we need to strengthen this grace in us while studying the things of God or while getting immersed in the sound teachings of the Church.

Prayer: Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God! Let thy good spirit lead me on a level path! Ps 143:10

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Jesus Teaches

Today’s Gospel Text: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,h and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6 They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.i 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father — the one in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.j 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Matt 23:1-12 NRSV

Reflection:  Every family will have it; memories of a grandfathers chair or a fathers chair or a grandmothers or mothers favorite chair.

In certain families I can’t think of a person, in their own house without occupying their favorite chair, sitting in durbar, dispensing advice to those who come to them.

The chair then gets passed on from one generation to another, just like the throne that passes on to the next generation. They do hold sentimental value but some chairs hold the value of authority, like the chair of Moses or the Kings or rulers chair.

Who then would occupy the seat of Moses, If not the scribes and Pharisees?

What did Jesus mean, was it the real seat of Moses or was it the seat of authority? It seemed, in all probability, the seat of authority in dispensing justice or teaching the faith. The criterion was clear; “whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do.”

The emphasis of the statement is more on not doing what they do and hence the injunction to follow their teachings which was disjointed from what they taught; they taught correctly but acted falsely.

What would happen when the teaching itself would not be in accord with the faith? We see Jesus already at hand correcting many of their false interpretation of the Law of Moses.

In the new dispensation, the seat of Moses is abrogated and we have a new seat, established by Christ himself who is the primary teacher through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Hence this is a clear message to the Protestants who make heavy use of this text to hit out at the Catholics, that the primary teacher is not the word of God, but Christ himself who still lives to teach.

He then teaches through the Magisterium, the teaching authority instituted by him, which in turn, open to the Spirit of Christ, teaches the word faithfully in reference to tradition and sound doctrine.

Prayer: Teach me thy way, O Lord, that I may walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name. Ps 86:11

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us