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Twenty Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Gospel:
Matthew 23: 1-12
Showing Off
Highlighted
Verses: Matthew 23: 1-12
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his
disciples, 2“The
scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3therefore,
do
whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for
they do
not practice what they teach. 4They tie up heavy burdens,
hard to
bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are
unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5They do all their
deeds to
be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their
fringes
long. 6They love to have the place of honor at banquets and
the best
seats in the synagogues, 7and to be greeted with respect in
the
marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. 8But you
are not
to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.
9And
call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in
heaven. 10Nor
are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the
Messiah. 11The
greatest among you will be your servant. 12All who exalt
themselves
will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
Have
you ever heard someone called a "show-off?" Is that a good thing to be
called? What does it mean? (Solicit children's responses)
That's right, when we show-off we're wanting to call attention to
ourselves. Usually we're hoping that people will notice something
special about us - maybe something we can do really well.
Everyone likes to be recognized for doing a good job, but sometimes
showing-off can be a problem. Showing-off can hurt people's feelings,
can't it?
And sometimes people show-off how they do one thing because they feel less
special about how they do others.
Or maybe they even are
less special in those ways.
That's what happens in today's Gospel lesson...Jesus calls a group of
people show-offs!
He doesn't use those words, exactly - but it's what he's doing. He
tells them that they only do the right things when other people are watching.
Do you think he likes that? Why not? (Solicit children's responses)
That's right! It's one thing to be good when everyone is watching - but
if they're only doing this during part
of their lives then it sounds like they've got some work to do, doesn't
it?
Today Jesus tells us that we should live humbly. That means that instead of
calling attention to how special we are (and showing-off for others),
that we should be modest and
remember that in God's eyes we're no more - or less important - than others.
So remember this:
We do good things because they're
right. Not because someone is watching.
Let's pray.
Dear God,
Help us to avoid the temptation to be show-offs. Let us live humbly in
your eyes.
Amen.
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