God's will is to circulate mercy – Mt 23:27-32
Jesus' strong words to the rabbis and members of the most zealous religious party in Israel are an expression of love and concern on the part of the Messiah. Sometimes love must shake someone close, who is blind to love. The Pharisees were in fact closest to the Nazarene's interpretation of Judaism, thanks to which Paul later, as a follower of Christ, would still be able to consider himself a Pharisee (cf. Acts 23: 6). At the same time, it is precisely those closest turned out to be the least open to the spirit and message of the Scriptures, for which they fought so fiercely (cf. Jn. 5: 39-40).
It is worth remembering that in the New Testament we also find words of relative appreciation for the zeal of the Pharisees and the teaching of the Scriptures (cf. Mt 5:20; 23: 3), as well as a mention of the Pharisees favorable to Jesus (cf. Lk 13:31). There are also specific names of noble Pharisees, such as Nicodemus or Gamaliel, Paul's master (cf. Jn. 3: 1-2; 7: 50-51; 19:39; Acts 5: 34-39). Basically, however, we see that the problem of some part of this group was formalism and insincerity, reducing religion to a rigid system of regulations while maneuvering to make it comfortable in this system.
If we read today from the Holy Book this criticism of the "Pharisees hypocrites", it is not to lament the condition of the Jewish elite centuries ago or to look at Judaism with superiority (which the New Testament expressly forbids, cf. Rom 11: 17-24). The Word of God turns to us, it saving judgment on consciences begins with the Church (cf. 1 Pet 4:17). We are to avoid the attitude of stray radicals who deceive their own hearts - scrupulous about formal rules, but in practice far from "righteousness, mercy and trust" (cf. Mt 23:23; Mi 6: 8). How many quarrels we have about "Christian values" and moral rules, ignoring the command to be gentle with those who think differently (cf. Col 4: 5-6; 2 Tim 2: 24-25; 1 Pet 3:16) and not wanting to learn, that God's will is to circulate mercy (Hos 6: 6; Mt 9: 12-13)! Never enough of a reminder: Christ is strict above all towards "religiously correct", but treats sinners friendly, although he condemns sin (cf. Lk 19: 5; Jn 4: 7-26; 8: 10-11)
Until Tomorrow
fr. george