Saturday, August 22, 2020 - 20th week of Ordinary Time - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew 23, 1-12 - You have only one Father, the One in heaven; you have only one Teacher, Christ.

Jesus' words to the people and his disciples here are clear about the scribes and Pharisees, which can also often apply to us: many say but do nothing, it is hypocrisy. It is the bird's nest that is built with the beak, but fulfilling the given word always requires energy: courage, mental strength and even physical labour. Jesus corrects this because it is not appropriate to speak well without this being reflected in behaviour and action.

Jesus said, "The greatest among you shall be your servant." Let him who is in command not only give orders, but be the first to set to work, as Jesus did: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's loved ones." He put his words into action by giving himself in the Eucharist and offering himself on the cross.

But a greater temptation is also to accomplish something in order to be seen. This is arrogance, vanity, as Jesus says here: "All their deeds they do to be noticed by the people: they enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their fringes; they like places of honour at dinners, seats of honour in synagogues and greetings in public squares; they like to receive from people the title of Rabbi". Jesus teaches us humility instead of pride. He said, "He that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."