Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
- teacher: a person who teaches or instructs.
- To whom do I look for teaching or instruction? How have I let Christ be a teacher to me? What efforts do I make to learn and understand the teachings of the Church he established?
- master: a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something; an employer of workers or servants; a person whose teachings others accept or follow; one having authority over another; a worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices.
- Do I resent Christ being my Master? Do I rather see his "mastership" as a loving parent, who has knowledge and experience beyond me? Do I see following Him as Master as something freeing - along a path that brings me to peace and true interior happiness?
- servant: a person whose teachings others accept or follow; a person in the service of another; one that serves others.
- How do I serve the Lord? How do I serve others? Looking back on my life, when have I been happiest - trying to be master, or servant?
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