Reflection for August 23 Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time: 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 more than just a principle of management—it is also a way of Christian living. What does this mean? It means doing what we say and living by example. For instance, if a leader tells his people to do something, he must be the first to act on it. In this way, he leads the way, not only with words but with the witness of his life. 

During the time of Jesus, many of the Pharisees and scribes were regarded as leaders of their communities. Yet their leadership was often reduced to giving orders without showing the example. They remained in their ivory towers, observing from a distance, instead of journeying with the people they were meant to serve. 

But Jesus shows us a different path. For Him, true leadership is always by example. He practiced what He preached. He carried the cross before asking us to carry ours. He humbled Himself before asking us to be humble. 

In the family, for instance, when parents teach their children to live with discipline, honesty, or kindness, their words become powerful only when supported by their own actions. Same goes when parents advice their children to study or read a good book instead of browsing social media.   When parents themselves live these virtues, they inspire respect and obedience from their children—not out of fear, but out of love. 

Isn’t the wisdom of Jesus so relevant in our lives today? If we want others to follow, if we want to gain the respect of those entrusted to us, we must first show them the way through our own example. This is how Jesus lived His life, and this is how He led—through love, humility, and sacrifice. 

So let us pause and ask ourselves: How am I, as an individual, as a parent or perhaps as a leader? Am I content with merely giving instructions, or do I strive to live what I teach? Do I simply speak of faith, or do I show faith in action? 

May we always remember that the most effective preaching is not done with words but with the witness of our lives. And may we, like Jesus, lead others closer to God by walking our talk each day. – Marino J. Dasmarinas