{"id":34580,"date":"2018-06-14T09:27:59","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T15:27:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=34580"},"modified":"2018-06-14T09:39:53","modified_gmt":"2018-06-14T15:39:53","slug":"surpassing-the-pharisees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/surpassing-the-pharisees\/","title":{"rendered":"Surpassing the Pharisees","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

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WE<\/strong> hear these words from the Gospel several times a year, and yet, do we really let them sink in?<\/p>\n

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I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. (Today’s Gospel; readings\u00a0here<\/em><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The outstanding feature of the Pharisees in Christ’s time was that they spoke the truth, but did not live it. “Therefore,” Jesus said…<\/p>\n

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…do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. (Matthew 23:3)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The warning of Jesus to\u00a0you and me today is a stark one: if we are like the Pharisees, we will “not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” The question we must carefully ask ourselves is “Am I obedient to the Lord?” Jesus gives a bit of an examination of conscience in His following remarks where He points particularly to our love of neighbour. Do you hold grudges, bitterness, and unforgiveness toward others, or do you let your anger win the day? If so, Jesus warns, you “will be liable to judgment” and \u00a0to “fiery Gehenna.”<\/p>\n

Moreover, what do we do in private when no one is watching? Are we still faithful to the Lord “who sees in secret”?[1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. Matthew 6:4<\/span><\/span>