March 03, 26 Tuesday of Second week of Lent: No To Religious Drama – Walk the Talk

March 03, 26 Tuesday of Second week of Lent: No To Religious Drama – Walk the Talk

Daily Divine Word,

Isaiah 1:10, 16–20. Matthew 23:1–12

Actions speak louder than words – a person is better known and valued for actions than words. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the Religious Dramas enacted, hypocrisies lived and righteous living.

Performative piety Vs Right Living: Isaiah calls the leaders of the Israelites ‘rulers of Sodom’ and describes people as ‘people of Gomorrah.’ Sodom and Gomorrah were two biblical cities rampant with wickedness, injustice and immoral activities. God destroyed these cities raining down fire (Gen 19: 1-28). Isaiah warns the people about empty religious ritualism and calls for authentic repentance demonstrated through justice and compassion. A worship separated from daily ethical living becomes an empty show.

Walk the Talk: One of the challenges of the modern world is the dichotomy between words and actions. Jesus, in the gospel warns against duplicity and exhorts authenticity. The Pharisees desire public honour, prestigious titles (Rabbi, Father), fame and applause. They make deliberate display of religious rubrics and liturgies but fail to live what they preach. Jesus condemns seeking honour and social status, instead redefines service as the true greatness. Jesus proposes a paradoxical truth – the true greatness lies in becoming the least. This challenges the society’s norms that equate power with status.

Set Things Right: God does not give up on us as he never gave up on anyone in the bible. God’s desire remains the same. He wants us to return to him. Rightly, therefore, Isaiah invites us to set things right for God is reaching out to us.

Our Takeaway

1. Any worship separated from ethical living is an empty show.

2. Jesus proposes a paradoxical truth – the true greatness lies in becoming the least. This challenges the society’s claim that equates power with status. Small is greater.

3. Let us Walk the Talk – Set Things Right.