FIRST READING
Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!
Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
GOSPEL
Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
REFLECTIONS:
THE "EXSULTET"
"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:12
God "is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness" (1 Pt 5:5; Prv 3:34). God the Father loves us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and give us the opportunity for a new life (see Jn 3:16). The Lord wants to overwhelm us with His love and blessings (Dt 28:2). However, if we are arrogant, we will not rightly understand or use God's gifts. We will use them to exalt ourselves rather than the Lord. This will be harmful to us. Therefore, the Lord in His love is stern with the arrogant and humbles them for their own good.
The Lord wants to surround and fill us with His love, but does not want to "spoil us rotten" in our arrogance. It's up to us to humble ourselves and let the Lord exalt us in His love. Otherwise, the Lord will do the humbling. Therefore, let us humble ourselves by repenting, forgiving, confessing, apologizing, sacrificing, serving, admitting our mistakes, choosing a simple lifestyle, exposing ourselves to persecution, loving our enemies, obeying those in authority, suffering redemptively, giving up our plans, giving all to the Lord, etc. Let us humble ourselves to the point that we can say: "I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own" (Gal 2:19-20). Then He will exalt us.
Prayer: Father, when I hear the "Exsultet" sung at Easter Vigil this year, may it mean something special to me because I have humbled myself. Promise: "Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow." Is 1:18 Praise: Practicing with and singing in the Easter choir strengthens Belinda's faith. (For a related teaching, order our tape on Arrogance on audio AV 52-1 or video V-52.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013.
Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012.
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements
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