The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 26, 2006
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 43:1-7ab
Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
Matthew 23:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Do and observe whatsoever they tell you . . . .”

There are hard words in the Bible. Jesus tells us some very difficult things--very difficult. And this may be chief among them. Those who are in legitimate authority over us are to be obeyed, assuming that what they ask for is not a direct transgression of God's law. Our own preferences are to be put to the side.

It seems that Jesus asks for surrender after surrender. Our hearts are weary with what we have to surrender, and here He asks us to surrender our autonomy, our very being to people who preach but don't practice. Why would He do this?

The Christian life is one of self-emptying. Every opportunity must be taken to give up what I want, what I need, what I think. The I must always take the back seat to what God wants. St. Teresa of Avila advised her sisters and all who would listen to obey their spiritual advisors despite their misgivings; if God wanted things changed, He would change them.

So it is for us. If it is not sinful and it is asked of us, we should do it, not because we think it right, but because God has placed these people in legitimate authority over us to train us in obedience and humility. When it becomes too much for us, we will turn naturally to Him and embrace His way rather than our own.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)