Martin Buber wrote that community “is where it happens”.  A community is not simply a fact but, above all, a task. This applies to every Christian community that constitutes the great Body of the Church of Christ. In today’s Gospel passage we see what builds but also what can destroy a community of faith. Of the Pharisees, icon of an attitude rather than of a religious class, Jesus says peremptorily: «They say—but they do not” (Mt 23:3). These masters teach the Law of a correct and zealous God but they are not consistent. Worse: they demand from others what they don’t even touch with one finger. And here we are faced with a paradox: how is it possible to consider ourselves masters in the way of God and not live his teachings? Inconsistency and scepticism, then, generate hypocrisy and deception. But there is a second aspect: they do everything to be admired (cf. Mt 23.5). Here Jesus condemns simulation or if we prefer, narcissism, which dirties even the most sacred actions. But that’s not all.  The culmination is when these guides pretend to be called “Rabbi” by the people. Rabbi, as is known, means “my great one”.  Matthew doesn’t like this title and the only time he puts it in someone’s mouth is in the case of Judas, who will call Jesus “Rabbi” in the very act of betraying him (cf. Mt 26,25). More positively, Jesus states that the logic that must animate believers is free and disinterested service (cf. Mt 23.11). But what does it mean to serve? Not, certainly, overdoing things: you can do a lot but not be of any use. Brotherly service is characterized by openness, hospitality and disinterest.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Santa Maria – Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey