April 9, 2010 – Matthew 22:34-23:22

When I look at Jesus preaching about the Pharisees, my first thought goes to our religious leaders, especially because all the news about sex scandals and the like. Jesus lesson is to listen to your leaders, even when they are not living out what they preach. Jesus says that does not give you the excuse to not live your life in a good way or to ignore what they are telling you. Do what they say not what they do type deal. This lesson becomes difficult when you see some of the liberal theologies bleeding through into the Catholic Church’s leadership. If you have ever read “Pierced by the Sword” it deals with the clergy becoming more liberal and dealing with that. I am curious as to what Jesus’ lesson would be if He saw what was going on with Church leadership. Are we still suppose to follow when we don’t believe they are being true to the Catholic faith. They are still our leaders and suppose to be our guides. We are blessed in the Peoria Diocese to have a more orthodox Bishop and great priest in our church, but This is a question that is going to become very important as it appears laymen are beginning to seek more orthodoxy and the clergy is in some cases not wanting to go that way. We will see how the new translations of the Mass will go over and then we will have an idea of where clergy are leading.

This idea of wanting the spotlight of leadership but not living responsibly could also point to our politicians. We are also suppose to do as they tell us, not as they do. It seems so wrong to trust and follow people who seem to not have any sense in anything moral and no idea what the life of a normal person really is, but look at how Jesus chastises the Pharisees over and over, yet strictly instructed the people to follow the rules laid down by them because of their authority. You may argue with them, debate them, not support them, but Jesus never allowed His followers to break the law to make a point. If He had, He would not have been an innocent sacrifice on Good Friday. He never disobeyed the laws set down by those with the authority to do so. Never think that we can do so in the name of the Lord.