Inherited Diseases

August 25: Monday of Week 21 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12; Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 4-5; Matthew 23:13-22

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

Inherited Diseases

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees...” Matthew 23:13

Paul compared ministry to giving life: “My little children… I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). But like all parents, we give the life we have. Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees… when you make one convert, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves!” Distorted doctrines and poisonous practices are passed down for generations in the Church. So, because we are all ministers, we need to watch over our spiritual health as much as a pregnant mother cares for her body for the sake of the child in her womb.

The most common inherited diseases are legalism, clericalism and triumphalism—all explicitly rejected, but not eradicated, by the bishops in the first session of Vatican II.

Legalism refuses to look to the purpose of laws and to apply them with common sense and mercy. Clericalism denies the equal dignity and responsibility all Christians have by Baptism. Triumphalism basks in worldly signs of success: riches, prestige and power. All three preclude relationship with God, do away with discipleship, cancel out Christian witness, undermine ministry and destroy the Church. And unfortunately, frequently they are CTD’s: clerically transmitted diseases. Those most contaminated in the Gospels were the higher-ranking clergy (“chief priests”), “approved” religion teachers (“scribes”), and super law-abiding laity (Pharisees). Verbum sat sapienti.

PRAY: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

PRACTICE: Turn to Jesus.