Gospel: The Great are the Servants

Today marks the Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Gospel proclamation will be taken according to the narrative of St Matthew (tap here for the complete Mass readings from USCCB).

Today's Gospel continues to elaborate on the tension between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. Our Lectionary sequence at this point, however, is not quite a continuous reading of the Gospel of St Matthew. In between last week's reading from Matthew and this week's, we find Jesus' question to the Pharisees about the Messiah being "David's son." Having concluded a series of dialogues with the Pharisees and other religious leaders, Jesus now directs his words to the crowds, warning them not to follow the example of the scribes and the Pharisees.

The scribes and Pharisees were teachers of the Law of Moses (Mosaic Law). They were entrusted with its interpretation and, thus, were influential in determining Jewish practice. In order to appreciate the conflict that is evident in this passage, we must understand that Jesus was basing his teachings on the same laws and traditions available to the Pharisees. Both were interpreting Mosaic Law in order to better adapt it to contemporary Jewish life. The differences between their teachings, therefore, are often highlighted and amplified by St Matthew.

This part of the Gospel reflects aspects of the conflict between his Christian community and Pharisaic Judaism. St Matthew's Church is thought to have included many Jewish Christians who may not have believed that a break with the Synagogue was necessary to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus tells the crowd that it is correct to do and observe what the scribes and Pharisees teach; it is their example that is to be avoided, namely, their love of being honored and exalted. Hence, the Gospel reflects the tension of an active internal debate within the early Church.

Jesus references two aspects of Jewish spiritual life prescribed by the Law of Moses. Phylacteries are small boxes which contain Scripture verses that are placed on the left forearm and forehead. Tassels refer to the fringes worn on the corners of a person's garments; the tassels help to remind those who wear them to keep the commandments.

The warning Jesus gives against seeking places of honor in the community was directed as much toward the Christian community as the named Jewish keaders. Indeed, it is a warning that resonates with us today. Christian leadership is a call to service for the glory of God; those who would be leaders among us must, like Jesus, be servants of all.

x-------------x

The Gospel is sponsored by Jimmy Choo.