Sunday November 5th: Idolatry in disguise

“They make their phylacteries [a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues.”

Matthew 23: 1-12

This Gospel reminds us of our Holy Father’s words: “those forms of idolatry disguised as ‘spirituality’ – my own spirituality – my own religious ideas, my own pastoral skills… Let us be vigilant, lest we find that we are putting ourselves at the centre rather than Him.” It is easy for us to get caught up in our own spiritual ‘intelligence’ and wisdom that we, become deaf to the cry of the world and risk becoming pharisaic.

We are challenged to examine our motives and to remember that the essence of any faith lies not in outward displays but in the purity of our intentions and the way we live out our beliefs in our daily lives. It’s a timeless lesson in the pursuit of true spirituality and a reminder that genuine faith should be humble, selfless, and focused on a deeper relationship with the divine, rather than on the praise and recognition of others.

The Gospel reminds us that true faith is characterized by sincerity, humility, and an authentic connection with our beliefs, rather than by outward displays of piety and the pursuit of social status.