Reflection for March 7, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Do you live what you preach?  

Walk your talk is a language of management, what does this mean? It simply signifies to do what you say and lead by example. For instance, if the leader tells those under him to do this and that, the leader must ensure that he does it first thus he leads the way for his people. 

Many of the Pharisees and the scribes during the time of Jesus were leaders of their communities. And as such they give orders to their people to do this and that, then it ends with giving orders. There was no leadership by example from them, they gave orders and they just stay in their ivory towers observing their subjects.    

Effective leadership for Jesus is leadership by example. These are leaders who walk their talk. For instance, in a family setting if the parents would say to their children, do this and that and observe this discipline and that. To facilitate thorough accomplishment of their orders the parents should lead by example. Thus, they earn the respect of their children. 

Isn’t this advice of Jesus also very useful to our personal lives? If we want our orders to be accomplished and if we want to gain the respect of our people, we must then be ready to lead by example. And this is the way how Jesus lived His life and His leadership. 

How are you as an individual or perhaps as a leader? Are you the type who’s just content of giving orders or you lead by example? – Marino J. Dasmarinas