It's Time For a Change in Shoes

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying: the scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them. And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes. And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues, and salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi. But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren. And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for one is you master, Christ. He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 23:1-12 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are like this at times too. We go to places and expect to be waited on hand and foot, not having to lift a finger to do a thing. Is that pretty much why there are many dinning places today for many to sit and be waited upon. Without the drudgery of having to do the work themselves. Yet this is about the scribes and Pharisees and their part of not lifting a finger to help those in need. Where all they do is look important, but are they really? To Jesus, it seems all they do is lip service without actually doing the work. Or being greeted with no warmth and the next one as if they were the very King. Aren't we all the same? Made in the image and likeness of God. The love for God is not there, not when we segregate who is worthy of our love. Such elevation on the importance of ourselves is lost and we are no longer humble, nor is our service of others. The scribes and the Pharisees, placed themselves above and beyond the reach of others, look but do not touch. See how far above the mere people they place themselves. Thinking about this, do we do it also when we make more then our neighbor, or drive a better vehicle, or dress better. Our mentality is something else, but it changes when we think along the lines of how Jesus thought. And we place ourselves in His shoes for a change.