First Reading: Eph 1:11-14; Psalm: 33. R. v. 12b; Gospel: Lk 12 1-7

HYPOCRISY

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The Pharisees’ opposition to Jesus did not prevent the increasing crowd that they grew in thousands as they trod upon one another eager to hear from Jesus. The tirade of Jesus on the Pharisees for some days now has been on their hypocritical life of which he pronounced several woes on them. When Jesus saw the increasing crowd, he ceased the opportunity to warn them against the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. For it a waste of time to live a life of hypocrisy in the sight of God.

Before Jesus started his public ministry, the people saw the Pharisees as their model. They were to the people the perfect example of holiness. The Pharisees were very committed in teaching the people the laws and the prophets which were handed down to them by their fathers. They were very dedicated men when it comes to the things of God. But their life of hypocrisy was not known to the people until Jesus revealed it. God sees beyond external appearances. And so Jesus warned the crowd to beware of their false lifestyle.

It is worthy to note that not all Pharisees were hypocrites in those days of Jesus but only a few. However, one bad apple can spoil the barrel. There are many bad apples out there. It could even be you and me. We must be careful how we influence and affect people especially by putting up a pretentious lifestyle. People who do these are the most dangerous set of people. They lure and destroy. For Jesus to warn the crowd of this lifestyle reveals how God detests it. It is better to be a sincere sinner than to play-act righteousness. True spirituality abhors putting on airs; for what is the need of pretending when God sees it all.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, help us to grow in holiness and sincerity. Amen.