Jesus continues his tirade against the Scribes and Pharisees in the gospel of today. These men kept memorials and built tombs in honour of the prophets of old whom their fathers killed but refuse to honour what the prophets taught which Micah 6:8 summarises: “. . . to act justly, love goodness, and walk humbly with God.” So, by not honouring this teaching, they were similar to their fathers who were against the prophets. This admonition of Jesus on the Pharisees was a reverberation of his call to authentic life as against the life of pretence. What is the need of showing concern when deep inside we are full of hate? The prophetic teachings instruct us today to be just in our dealings (sincerity), love what is good (charity), and walk humbly with our God (obedience). This is the only way we can be different from the pharisaic life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, purge away from us the spirit of falsehood and disobedience. Amen.