“The man who loves God thinks it enough to please him whom he loves, for no greater reward can be sought than that love itself.”
READ: MATTHEW 23:1–12
Then addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honor at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
It must have been difficult for Jesus to speak so harshly about the Pharisees and the scribes. He did so only for the sake of the crowds and the disciples who had witnessed the ongoing controversy. Jesus has done everything in His power — while still respecting his enemies’ freedom — to win over His attackers, to meet them on their own ground, to open their closed minds to His saving truth. Only then does he pronounce judgment on them. Even this harsh task of uprooting the Jewish authorities — a task Jesus has the right and duty to perform, for the sake of those whom the authorities were leading astray — is performed with generosity, in the context of teaching a lesson that will serve the good of all.
Christ taught this lesson many times with words, all the time with His actions, and one time forever with His Passion, the ultimate expression of His love: “He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:7–8, NABRE).
RESPOND
Never let me deceive myself, Lord. Help me to see myself as I truly am. I want to follow You, to hear Your voice each moment, to see Your providential, loving action in every happening and encounter of my life. Teach me to walk by faith, Lord, not by sight.
REST
I can strive to please You only if I know what truly pleases You. And I can know what pleases You only if I study and pray. I need You to keep me humble, Lord. I tend so easily to slip into that self-destructive thirst for recognition and superiority. That tendency goes deep — only Your love goes deeper. Purify my heart, Lord. Teach me to think first of others and then of myself, just as You did. Jesus, I trust in You.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
