Letting the good bless us

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Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
A reflection on the daily readings, for Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent, by Father Perry.
+ Oh, dear!
The most searing comment one can make to a preacher or a teacher or a parent is: “Practice what you preach!”
And it is terrible because if you know and say the truth and the good but don’t practice it yourself, one might wonder if you actually believe that truth.
If you don’t, then why say it? If you don’t, why would you ask someone else to practice it?
If you don’t, why would you use that truth to judge and condemn others and not yourself?
But, interestingly, Jesus takes a slightly different approach; he acknowledges that the scribes and Pharisees indeed do know the law.
They can state it and explain in detail. In short, they are teachers of the law.
But only in words.
Because they know it and can teach it, you should listen and obey it.
After all, it is the law, and it is what it is! But Jesus’ observation and indictment against the scribes and Pharisees is as searing as any indictment can be.
They themselves do not practice what they preach to everyone else.
Their powerful words are just words and without practice become only words.
It is like saying to a person who has just fallen down and can’t get up: “Oh my, let me help you up.”
And then, as you extend your hand in what appears to be a gesture of help — even as you say those words — then you turn your back and walk away.
Are you to be praised? How can you?
It is clear that what you said was powerless and meaningless, because they were only words and nothing more.
Isaiah speaks God’s word that both indict and invite the change of heart and life so needed. “Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds! Come now, let us set things right!”
And then in a short litany of goodness and justice, God explains what they should be doing and how they can turn their crimson red sinfulness into “white as wool” living: “Cease to do evil. Learn to do good. Make justice your aim. Redress the wronged. Hear the orphan’s plea. Defend the widow. Oh, I see you have fallen down — let me help you up!”
Jesus sees the same. Jesus says the same. Jesus sums it all up as he urges all to practice what the scribes and Pharisees teach, but not what they do.
“Don’t follow their example!”
He then teaches one of his most urgent lessons: all about servanthood.
Don’t perform in order to be praised and noticed. Do the good; serve others.
The greatest among you will be servant.
And in his classic wisdom-like teaching, he declares: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
+ If we hear and do the Jesus-teaching, he promises we will find life!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
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