Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week
(Galatians 5:18-25; Luke 11: 42-46)
Part of Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees in today’s
gospel defies understanding. Obviously
he is upset with them for paying attention to small things while not attending
to important matters. He also takes aim
at their seeking attention like politicians before an election. But what does he mean by saying that they are
like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk?
Mothers may admonish their children at the cemetery not
to walk over anyone’s grave, but this is not the abuse that Jesus has in mind
here. Rather he is saying that the
Pharisees are like open graves over which people can unknowingly try to walk. Falling into the graves the people hurt themselves. Jesus is saying that the Pharisees give bad
example which people unwittingly follow to their detriment.
We should be careful not to give bad example. Sometimes older people cohabitate rather than
marry in order not to lose a dead spouse’s pension. But doesn’t the practice indicate that money
is more important than marriage? As
Christ’s disciples, we should strive to set good example to all, especially our
young.
