Hidden...and dangerous
- Gary Fritsch
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
Scripture is always a reflection on us, allowing us to see ourselves in a new light. Sometimes that light illuminates our goodness, sometimes it puts a spotlight on our ills. Today, Jesus shines a spotlight on something hidden and dangerous.
In today's Gospel, Jesus says that the Pharisees "are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” What do we make of this accusation from Our Lord? Well Jews could not come in contact with a grave without becoming unclean:
"Moreover, everyone who in the open country touches a person who has been slain by the sword or who has died naturally, or who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days." - Numbers 19:16
So, Jesus is saying that people are coming in touch with the Pharisees and their teaching and influence and they are unknowingly being made unclean by it. How? Because they follow their example. And their example is this: they pay great attention to the slightest detail in religious practice but do not love their neighbor or care for the poor. When they act this way, people see it as an OK practice and begin to follow it. It only takes a little while until the entire congregation thinks that putting a donation in the plate, and a prayer at the offertory is enough to satisfy the call to love our neighbor.
This is dangerous to our souls. Jesus is completely clear in Matthew 25 that what we do for the least of our brothers is what we have done for Him. Those who did nothing hear this from the one who gave His life to save them: "Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me."
Don't wait until the day of judgement. Ask each day at the end of the day how you loved God and loved your neighbor. If you didn't, you are not terrible but think and plan for how you might be better at it. Listen to someone who is lonely, do something beyond what was 'required'. Put someone else's priority ahead of yours. When we live like this, we put flesh on Jesus for people, and in doing so teach them the fullness of the Gospel. Without this, the Gospel can be just words to them.
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