Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
“Looking Ahead” is our continuing series of reflections on the Sunday readings, by Father Perry. This week, we celebrate the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
Some have said that the sentence that should be on the front of the diploma of the “School of Hypocrisy” should read, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
And certainly Jesus would have agreed with that as he so plainly says today, “Do whatsoever they tell you but do not follow their example”; and also, “they preach but they do not practice.”
These were damning words for sure and should have embarrassed the Pharisees to the core, although it probably only enraged them further against Jesus.
But this Gospel is not just about a conversation between Jesus and some Pharisees 2,000 years ago.
That is the starting point, or the jumping off point; the real conversation includes all.
It is all too easy going through life telling other people what they should do and how they should act and what they are responsible for.
But then it can always be asked of us: “Do we practice what we preach?”
And imagine the risky position of being a priest or preacher.
One very wise priest used to like to say, “I am preaching to myself. And you can listen in if you wish to.”
Maybe this was a clever way to avoid accusations that would place us in the “School of Hypocrisy.”
Maybe a truth-filled way of saying, we all might benefit from hearing these words and taking them to heart.
Jesus pouring water from a jug. This is some more of that “kingdom talk.”
