HOMILY – 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
THEME: A WORD FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS
By: Msgr. Gerald M. Musa
Malachi 1:14-2:2.8-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.13; Matthew 23:1-12
Once upon a time, there was a wise Catechist named Bala who lived in a village and was known for his deep spirituality, strong faith, and unwavering compassion. He was highly respected by the people, and many people came to seek his advice and guidance. A new Catechist named Ezra was sent to the same village. He was very smart, eloquent, and charismatic. His smartness earned him the nickname ‘Digital Evangelist.’
Catechist Ezra became popular and powerful in the village. However, he had some weaknesses that constantly contradicted his teaching and preaching. He was extravagant, arrogant, reckless, and ill-tempered. He was mean to people who disagreed with him and would not take advice from anyone. Nevertheless, he had a large followership because of his charismatic gifts. No one dared to confront him over his weaknesses, except Catechist Bala who invited him and gently said to him, “Catechist Ezra, you are highly gifted, but you have allowed your charisma to lead many people astray because you do not practice what you preach. Your reckless lifestyle has a negative influence on the youth and has misguided the community.”
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At first, Catechist Ezra refused to take the advice of Catechist Bala, but over time, he realised that his mistakes were drawing him backwards and affecting his spiritual growth. He drew inspiration from the life of Catechist Ezra and gradually changed his ways and matched his actions with his preaching. His transformation and good example had a positive effect on the entire community. This story goes to show the powerful influence of religious leaders and how the life of a leader can change a whole community.
Like Catechist Bitrus. the prophet Malachi issued a strong warning to read the strong warning to preachers and was brutally frank enough to let them know how God was disappointed with their attitudes. Malachi rebuked religious leaders in these words: “You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction” (2:8).
Likewise, Jesus challenged the negative behaviours of the religious leaders of his time, the Pharisees and Scribes. He said: “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” (Matthew 22:3).
These words of Jesus challenge all of us who are religious leaders because very often our lifestyle goes contrary to our beliefs. During ordination cermonies, the Bishop usually hands the bible to the ordinand, saying: “believe what you read; preach what you believe and practice what you preach.” Believing, preaching, and practice can only be accomplished with the help of God.
Many leaders, authorities, parents, and teachers like to give the best instruction to their followers, subjects, children and students, but would be quick to add, “Do what I say and not what I do.” A priest whose moral life is a far cry from his professed belief would say, do what I say and not what I do; a doctor who preaches abstinence from smoking but who is himself a chain smoker would advise his patients not to smoke and would add, “do what I say and not what I do.” A policeman who collaborates with criminals would advise other people to be law-abiding citizens and say, “Do what I say and not what I do.”
Jesus is among the few leaders whose life matched what he believed and preached. He preached love and his life was a manifestation of true love; he preached forgiveness and he was compassionate and merciful to sinners; he taught his disciples how to pray and he himself was prayerful; he told those who wish to follow him to go and sell all that they had and he himself lived a life of poverty; he preached against sin and even though he faced all kinds of temptations, he did not sin; he preached about the virtue of humility and he was a model of humility; he preached about the importance of obedience to God and himself was totally obedient to the will of God even in the most difficult circumstances. This is why Jesus could confidently say: “LEARN FROM ME” (Matthew 11:29); “FOLLOW ME” (Mark 2:14); “LIVE/REMAIN IN ME” (John 15:4).
Today, the world is desperately in search of witnesses who apply the values of the Gospel in their everyday lives. It was Pope Paul VI who said: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”
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