Matthew [23:1-12] Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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 Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Saint John Cassian (around 360-435)
founder of monasteries
On spiritual knowledge, chap. IX ; SC 54 (Conferences VIII-XVII ; trans. Boniface Ramsey OSB, New York : Newman press, 1997, p. 513)
"Prompt to hear and slow to speak" (Jas 1:19)
In every respect be “quick to hear but slow to speak” lest there befall you what Solomon mentions: “If you see a man who is quick with words, know that a fool has more hope than he.” (Pr 29:20 LXX). Nor should anyone presume to teach in words what he has not previously done in deeds. Our Lord taught us by his own example that we should follow this order, as it is said, as it is said: “Which Jesus began to do and teach.” (Acts 1:1) Be careful therefore that you do not jump to teaching before you have acted and be counted among those of whom the Lord speaks to his disciples in the gospel: “Observe and do what they say but do not do according to their works. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to carry, and place them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves do not move them with their finger.” (Mt 23:4) For if the person “who breaks the least commandment and teaches people so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven,” it follows that whoever neglects many great things and dares to teach is certainly not merely least in the kingdom of heaven but should be considered greatest in the punishment of Gehenna. Therefore, you should be careful lest you be stirred to teach by the example of those who have acquired skill in speaking and a fluent tongue and who are believed by those who are unable to discern its power and character to possess spiritual knowledge because they can say whatever they want elaborately and at length. For it is one thing to speak with ease and beauty and another to enter deeply into heavenly sayings and to contemplate profound and hidden mysteries with the most pure eye of the heart, because certainly neither human teaching nor worldly learning but only purity of mind will possess this, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.