Matthew 23:1-12
- What is it that the Pharisees and Scribes teach?
- What is the meaning of Moses Seat in context of this passage?
- Literally, the Pharisees and Scribes taught and interpreted the Law
- And by effect they were putting themselves in Moses’ position in trying to teach everyone how to observe the Law.
- Hence Moses’ Seat.
- But what they taught
- They did not believe or trust.
- Therefore, they did not live it themselves.
- Yet they demanded that others not break the Law in anyway.
- How did the Pharisees and Scribes not live the Law?
- By doing the physical requirements that the Law demanded
- Like washing before meals
- Fasting
- Giving to charity
- Etc
- Yet what they did
- They did because that was what the Law asked them to do as an outward sign.
- They missed the point that the outward sign represented an inward reality.
- The sign of purity, humility, gratitude
- The sign of outward natural expression overflowing from a deeper relationship with God.
- We have sacraments today in the Church
- They are graces and outward signs of an inward reality of our beings.
- Do not stop at what happens to you when you are administered a sacrament.
- Move inward into yourself
- And reflect on what Christ is doing in you
- Start communicating with God
- Respond to those bridges of Grace and Hope Christ puts into your life
- Cross them being aware of what they are
- And you will meet Jesus waiting for you.
