Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practised, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market-places. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.’ One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.’ And he said, ‘Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them.

What does it mean to be neglectful? Being neglectful relates to our failure to provide the attention, care or action that a person, responsibility or situation requires. While we may not intend to cause harm: stress, exhaustion, competing demands, forgetfulness or poor organisation may impact our capacity to respond appropriately. How many of us as spouses, parents or friends have chosen at times to have a ‘deaf ear’ to the seemingly incessant needs of those around us.

In today’s reading, Jesus chastises the religious leaders and lawyers, not for what they are doing in carrying out their formal duties, but rather for what they fail to see and hear in the needs of those they are called to serve. Their religious observance rather than making them open to the cries of the poor and suffering around them, has blinded them and led them to be self-righteous and condemning of others. This is not a choice between piety or service, but rather embracing both.

Jesus calls us to integrity so that our lives are a balance between devotion and justice; obedience animated by love and a generous spirit that reaches out to share the burdens of others. While our frailty and human limitations will cause us at times to neglect even those we love, the more we align our hearts with Jesus, we will grow in our ability to be responsive to their needs.

Do my habits and religious practices make me more attentive, generous and willing to serve others?