4 July 2011: Hypocrisy and jealousy of the Pharisees

Jesus, having fulfilled all the paschal duties, returned to Galilee. “And it came to pass, on the second first sabbath as he went through the corn fields his disciples, pressed by hunger, plucked the ears and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.” (Lk 6:1; Mk 2:23)
The law expressly allowed this deed (Deut xxiii); but the Pharisees, who took pride on their exact observance of the sabbath, condemned it as a crime saying, “Why do you what is not lawful on the sabbath days?” (Mt 12:2)
It is easy to see through the cloak of zeal under which the Pharisees tried to hide their jealousy; and everyone condemns and detests their conduct. This hideous passion easily finds access into the hearts. We should see whether we can discover the same in ourselves.
Examples are: Closely observe the conduct of those we dislike; spy out their actions; maliciously relate and exaggerate their least faults; judge them harshly, falsely interpreting their actions and intentions.
The accusation by the Pharisees was likely to bring discredit on the disciples, and to enhance the people’s erroneous belief. Jesus, therefore, enlightened them, defended his disciples, and silenced their accusers.
“He said to them, have you never read what David did, and they that were with him?” He continued: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; therefore, the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath also.” (Mt 12:5; Mk, 2:27-8)
We should learn here that we may keep silence when personally attacked; but not when God’s glory, the rights or doctrines of the Church, or welfare of our neighbors, are at stake. To be silent when we can answer the accusation, would be a withholding of the truth and cowardice; and could cause us to share in the guilt.
‘There is’, says the Wise Man, ‘a time to keep silence, and a time to speak’. Happy is he who has learned this wise discernment, and rules his life accordingly. How have we acted? Have we been usually more prompt and eager in defending our wounded self-love than in supporting and defending the cause of God?
Jesus, wishing to let the Pharisees see he could read the secrets of their hearts, and that he knew they were actuated by jealousy only, said: “If you knew what this means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, you would never have condemned the innocent.” (Mt 12:7)
Let us take care not to deserve a similar reproof. Never speak or act from malice in the guise of virtue. Never observe the letter rather than the spirit of God’s commandments and our norm. Never be harsh and unmerciful in our judgments of others, blaming and condemning on slight grounds or by appearances only.
Examine ourselves on these and earnestly beg our Lord to increase in us fraternal charity and humility.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp417-9

Do not Be Afraid
To all people of today, I once again repeat the impassioned cry with which I began my pastoral ministry: “Do not be afraid! Open, indeed, open wide the doors to Christ!” Open to his saving power the confines of states, and systems political and economic, as well as the vast fields of culture, civilization, and development.
Do not be afraid. Christ knows ‘what is inside a person’. Only he knows! Today, too often people do not know what they carry inside, in the deepest recesses of their soul, in their heart. Too often people are uncertain about a sense of life on earth. Therefore, with humility and trust I beg and implore you, allow Christ to speak to the person in you. Only he has the words of life, yes, eternal life.
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 1

The holy fear of God
The holy fear of God joined to love gives a special strength to the Christian’s life. With it, nothing can make him tremble, for nothing can then separate him from the love of God. (cf Rom 8:35-9) The soul is fortified in the virtue of hope and set free from a false and careless security by maintaining a watchful love against the lures of temptation.
Interior life grows in sensitivity and depth if we always keep in mind those truths that reveal to us the foundations of this gift of the Holy Spirit: God’s holiness and our wretchedness, our daily failures, the absolute dependence of the creature on his Creator, the enormity of a single venial sin in the sight of the divine holiness ... the demands of our vocation. (cf Benedict Baur, “Frequent Confession”, p160)
Let us ask our Mother Mary, ‘Refugium peccatorum’ (‘Refuge of sinners’), to make us understand just how much we lose every time we step aside from the path that leads to her son Jesus, even if our faults are only slight ones.
May we never hold anything against anybody; it would greatly spurn our love for God and neighbor. Let us learn from St Mark how to begin again, a thousand times if necessary, if for any reason we must go through a similar experience of failure or cowardice. (cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:452)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:644-5

God knows all things
Since He knows all things, even our deepest thoughts and yearnings, let us fear God and rid ourselves of impure desires to do works of evil, so that we may be protected by his mercy from the judgment that is to come. Who can escape his mighty hand? What world will give asylum to one who deserts him?
“O where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there.
“If I take the wings of the dawn and go to the sea’s farthest end, your right hand is there. If I lie in the grave, you are there.” (cf Ps 138:7-9)
Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte, “The Echo of the Gospel”, 1991, p46

• Our Lady of Miracles, at Avignon, France. Church built by John XXII, on the occasion of two criminals being condemned to the fire; one who invoked the Blessed Virgin was spared by the flames, while the other was entirely consumed. — Richard of Cluny, Life of John XXII. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Miracles, Avignon, France, built by Pope John XXII (14th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Refuge. Pueblo, Mexico. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)