Readings: Ezekiel 43:1-71; Matthew 13:1-12
Jesus has a very challenging–and timely–teaching for us today.
He tells us to discriminate, to recognize what we actually see in our legitimate religious leadership. Yes, do what they tell you but don’t follow their example. That isn’t a call to blind and passive acquiescence or relinquishing our responsibility. And part of that responsibility is to engage this disconnection between our leaders’ words and deeds. We are never advised to give up and just flee from the problems. Rather, dig in, deal with it; never settle for being a victim. Be accountable and require accountability.
Do not call yourself a teacher and call no man “father”; you have but one Father in heaven. That’s what it’s all about: not pie-in-the-sky, but, here and now, living as if we have but one Father in heaven. Living our lives here on earth as if it’s not about earthly comfort and satisfaction, but the truth. Living to become, here on earth, sacraments of that care that can only come from our Father in heaven.