Jesus tells the crowds and the disciples that the scribes and the pharisees, who sit in Moses' chair "do not practice what they teach." ( Sunday's Gospel: Matt. 23:1-12) "Therefore," Jesus says, "do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do." In other word they are hypocrites. A Behavior that people both then, and today find repulsive and distasteful.
How did these religious authorities get this way? As we listen to the Gospel, we discover that they have let their authority go to their heads. Instead of being messengers and humble servants of God's revelation, they see themselves as better than -more entitled than others. They are no longer just messengers striving to teach God's ways by word and deed, but superior beings that deserve the best seats and places of honor, and expect and demand that others recognize and extol their exalted position. The Gospel makes it clear that because of this special sense of entitlement they no longer practice what they teach, but instead, place heavy burdens on others.
In a way, the scribes and pharisees were usurping God's role and position, and Jesus reminds them that there is only one God, their Father in heaven. Therefore, says Jesus, "The greatest among you will be your servant."
Power Corrupts! As Christians we must forever strive to be humble servants reminding ourselves that, "all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."
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