Weightier Matters

Gospel: Matthew 23: 23-26

We are all to familiar with the minute attention given to liturgical rubrics and appointments, the perseveration over placement of the tabernacle and altar rails and other furniture of the church building, and our preoccupation with the lesser matters of church life.  These have come to take priority over the works of justice and mercy - the weightier matters of the law - that occupied Jesus' time and attention in his earthly ministry.  

The critique Jesus offers to the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day is also leveled against those who claim to be his followers in every age.  For we have become like unto them in so many ways, and so little like the Lord Jesus in his priorities of care for the poor, ill, and marginalized in our society.  The woe is upon us yet again.

But we always have the opportunity to change and to become what Jesus asks us to be.  It is ever within our power, and God's grace is ever there to help us achieve this becoming like the Lord.  There are those among us who do indeed carry out this work of love and mercy daily.  We can join ourselves to them, and turn the 'woe' into a 'whoa!'