Theme: God loves the upright.
Scripture readings: Is. 1:10, 16-20; Ps. 49:8-9, 16, 17, 21, 23; Mt. 23:1-12
Prophet Isaiah spoke to both the kingdom of Israel. He lived in 740 – 680 (BC). It was a most troubled time in the history of northern Israel because it was annexed by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Isaiah continued to preach to the southern kingdom I.e. Judah after the Assyrians invaded northern kingdom. Thus, Isaiah grew up to see both the kingdoms together for almost 20 years. He had seen the real causes of downfall of Israel from the past. Therefore, he always exhorted them to learn from the past.
While addressing to the people, he mentioned two cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. They were known for their sinfulness and judgement. Isaiah reminded his people that it would be the same fate if they would not turn away from their sinfulness. So he told them: wash yourself clean, take your wrong doing out, cease to do evil, learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, orphan and widow. Isaiah told them if they would obey the Lord, then they would be saved. They were called to live most authentic life before the Lord for God loves the upright. There is nothing mentioned about the religious practices but life lived worthy before the eyes of God.
Psalmist also says that God will save the upright. This uprightness was not limited to the superficial religiosity such as offerings of animals and lip worship but the one who practiced it in his or her life.
Jesus also in his preaching criticized the scribes and the Pharisees for they only concentrated on the superficial religiosity. They were preachy. They were showy. They boasted that they knew the law but in reality they did the opposite. Jesus told his disciples to listen to them but do not imitate them in their deeds. Jesus believed in living authentic life. He himself lived integrated and upright life. He lived humbled life. He preached by words and deeds. His words and deeds corresponded each other such as when he said, the greatest among you must be your servant is seen Jesus himself stooping down to wash the feet of his disciples at the last supper. Jesus called his disciples to forgive and he showed forgiveness while hanging on the cross. Jesus truly lived upright life and so he called his disciples to do the same.
Today’s liturgy is an eye opener during our journey in the season of Lent. Are we caught up with superficial religiosity and lip worship in the season of lent? Or Are we genuinely concerned with the renewal of our heart? God loves uprightness of our hearts. May God bless us so that we may work on our sanctification to clean our sinfulness and ourselves worthy before the Lord.
