Reflection for March 18 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 lead by example? 

The principle of leadership by example means that a leader sets the standards to be followed and personally adheres to them. Similarly, parents should establish benchmarks in their homes and fully embody them so their children can emulate their example. 

On the other hand, bad or ineffective leaders instruct their people to do this and that, yet they fail to follow their own commands. They preach the standards but do not practice what they preach. The same applies to irresponsible parents—they tell their children to observe certain disciplines, but ironically, they do not follow these disciplines themselves. 

During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders, and they were supposed to lead by example. However, they failed to do so. They were good at giving orders, but when it came to practicing what they preached, they fell short. 

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the common people of that time began to gravitate toward Jesus. They saw in Him a leader who led by example—someone who empathized with them, was approachable and humble, and ate and mingled with them. In other words, Jesus lived what He preached. 

What lesson does our Gospel teach us? We must always be true to our words and actions. We must not be like the Pharisees and scribes, who were excellent at preaching but severely lacking in practicing what they preached. 

Instead, we must strive to be like Jesus, who lived by His teachings. Jesus was always true to His words and actions. He led by example and truly walked His talk. 

Do you always live what you preach? Are you always true to your words? — Marino J. Dasmarinas