Words vs actions

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week’s reading is relevant to us all. It may be that when we listen to this Gospel, we are appalled by the behaviour of the scribes and the Pharisees. These people knew exactly what was written in Scripture, they taught people how they were to live in obedience to the Word of God, however, the majority of them, vied for people’s praise, they sought to be praised by the people, rather than the praise of God. We often hear Jesus condemning the scribes and the Pharisees for their behaviour. This does not mean that Jesus is condemning one sector of the people and not another, he is instead, condemning their behaviour.

We still meet this sort of behaviour, even today. We find it in members of the Church, and even closer to home, in ourselves! There is a saying, ‘practice what you preach.’ It is far easier to tell others how to behave, than doing what we are preaching. We may be also doing this as parents. Do we ever warn the children about certain behaviour, but then find ourselves doing these same things? Do we obey Church and Civil laws? Or do we bend them and interpret them, according to our will and whim? 

What is Jesus advising today? The Pharisees were not to be imitated; however, they were good teachers. Therefore, Jesus asks the people to listen to what the Pharisees were telling them, but they were not to imitate the way that they lived. However, it is indeed difficult to listen to someone, who does not practice what one preaches. Therefore, this Gospel, should serve as an examination of conscience. We all influence others, first at foremost we influence those at home, however, by we are also an example at our places of work, in church and in our parish, when we are shopping, and in other public places, and when we interact on social media. How important to us is the way that we look? The clothes we wear, our home, our car, the holidays we take? How important to us, is what others think about us?

Jesus’ definition of a good leader may not be our definition. Jesus says, “The greatest among you must be your servant.” In God’s eyes, the greatest persons, are those who serve others, those who use their talents for the good of others, those who act to glorify God, and not to be praised by those around them.

Today’s Gospel highlights the fact that we teach by our actions. From when very young, our children imitate the adults around them. Therefore, it is important for us adults, to examine our way of life and behaviour. This Gospel also asks us to question ourselves as to the importance that we place on what others think about us. It warns us about extra attention that we give to ourselves. Jesus tells us that the most important thing, is to serve others with humility, and our words should be witness of our belief as true Christians.

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 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 honour at banquets, seats of honour 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.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. How important for you, is the way that you look? How important for you is the praise of others for what you do? Jesus is not asking us not to care about our appearance, or not to take pleasure in praise, but he warns us that our actions should first and foremost be to please God.
  4. Are we consistent in what we ‘preach’ to our children, family, friends and colleagues, and the way that we behave? More important, is what we preach consistent with the Word and will of God?
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare:
    i. The Bible reading from St Matthew (23, 1-12)
    ii. A lit candle;
    iii. Cover the table with green cloth;
    iv. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips.
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation.
  8. Be creative 😊
  9. Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family.

In today’s Gospel, we are going to hear Jesus say something strange. He tells the people to listen to what the scribes and the Pharisees are telling them, but not to imitate them!

Coming soon.

We will learn that:

  • Jesus teaches us about the qualities of a good leader

We need:

  • printout of the hearts
  • colours
  • decorations for the heart
  • scissors
PrintoutDownload

In Jesus’ time, people respected the scribes and the Pharisees. They were those who studied and knew the Word of God very well, that is, they knew what was written in Scripture. They obeyed what was written, however many of them, obeyed the rules, not to please God, but to be praised by those who saw them!

Who tells you what to do? (parents, grandparents, teachers)

These are like your leaders. Describe what makes a good leader. Should this person be kind-hearted or not? (a good leader listens to what the people need to say, he helps others, he says thank you for help received, he is sorry for what he does wrong, he gives good instructions and good orders…)

Now, describe a bad leader. (a bad leader gives bad orders, he is more concerned about his personal needs, rather than the needs of others, he is not thankful for help received, nor is he sorry for wrongs made…)

Jesus wants us to be humble. Do you know what humble means? It is not a word that we often hear. Someone who is humble, does not do things to be praised, but he does things out of love. A humble person helps those in need, without expecting any repayment. A humble person says that he/she is sorry for bad choices made. A humble person tries to live as Jesus did: he loved, helped, and forgave others.

During this week try to be more humble. But do not stop after this week, continue being humble as Jesus wishes us to be. For this week’s activity you have some hearts, some have ‘thank you’ written on them, others have ‘sorry’. Cut them out and colour them, you may also wish to decorate them. When someone does something for you (for example, you parents prepare food, they wash the clothes, your brothers or sisters play with you, your grandparents take you to a favourite place) remember to thank them, you may also wish to give them one of the hearts. If you do something which is not right (for example you do not obey your parents, you are angry because your brothers or sisters do not wish to play with you…) remember to say that you are sorry, and you may also give them one of the hearts. Jesus is also happy when you do good things (for example, you tidy your room, you prepare the table for dinner, you give your pet to eat or drink…) Try and do these good things without being asked! When we do good things, we are acting like Jesus. When the hearts are ready, listen to, I wanna be like Jesus.

Sign of the cross.

Thank you, Jesus, you teach us how we are to live. Help us to be humble like you, help us to think more of others, rather than of ourselves. We also wish to pray for the leaders of the world, so that they too, are humble. Amen.

Have you ever heard someone, say this about someone else? “That person, does not practice what he preaches.” What does it mean? Today, Jesus will say something similar about the scribes and the Pharisees. Let us listen to the Gospel.

Coming soon.

We will learn that:

  • God is the best leader, we should always obey him
  • Our actions should be to please God and not to be praised by those around us

We need:

  • blank papers
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • a container for the slips of paper

In today’s Gospel, Jesus first praises the scribes and Pharisees, and tells the people, “do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you.” However, he continues and tells the same people, “but do not follow their example.” Why is Jesus saying this about the scribes and Pharisees?

These were people who knew the laws of God very well. They knew each and every written rule in Scripture. They knew them all by heart. Do you know how many rules there were? Do you think there were more than 100? Or maybe more than 300? Or more than 600?

There were in all 613 rules, and the Pharisees knew them all! Most of the people did not remember all these rules, so the Pharisees continually reminded them about them. The Pharisees were always on the look out to catch anyone breaking these rules! In fact, do you remember when they even scolded Jesus because he broke one of the rules? It was prohibited to do any work on Saturday, however Jesus helped others on Saturday and even performed miracles, and the Pharisees grumbled that Jesus worked on a Saturday! Do you know what Jesus answered? That for God, love mattered more than all these rules. In fact, do you know how many rules are important to Jesus? Less than 600? Or even less than 100?

For Jesus there are two main laws, and it is important that we obey them. When the people asked him about these laws, this is how Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” Do you remember, that we read this Gospel last week?

Jesus scolded the Pharisees because although they new the laws very well, they lived in a way to be praised by those around them. This was what was most important for them, and not love of God.

This Gospel teaches us that God is to be our leader. We are to do our work well. It does not matter if we are praised for this, however this should not be what motivates us to do what is right. Jesus called the Pharisees, hypocrites, that is they were not sincere. When we are sincere, we do our duty, and we also keep our promises. So as not to be like the Pharisees, we are to do our duties well, and we do not do what we are due, just to look good.

It is not always easy to do what is right. Can you think of something which Jesus asks us to do, but it is difficult for us? (for example, we should not lie, even if it means being punished; we should not only help those who will be able to help us back …)

From what we have learnt today, what do you think are the qualities that we should have? (we are to help others, we play fair, we respect others, we listen to what others are telling us, we show mercy, we say the truth, we bring peace….)

Write these examples on strips of paper (even adults are to participate in this activity). Put these strips of paper in a container and take one out every day (you may return it to the container, once you read it). During the day, try your utmost to do whatever was written on the paper you chose.

After this activity, listen to Flyin’ for the Lord, we are going to sing that our words and deeds need to show that we believe in Jesus, so that others will believe in him too.

Sign of the cross

Dear God, help us to hold you as our leader and teacher. Help us not to do things, only for the praise of others; help us to be humble. Help us to live like your son Jesus and the many saints in heaven. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

coming soon.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.