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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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Malachi 1:14-2.8-10
Psalm 130
Thessalonians 2:7-9:13
Matthew 23:1-12
We look to our leaders for guidance just as the people of Israel did in the time of the prophet Malachi. Malachi was preaching after the temple had been rebuilt on the people's return from exile. He had criticized the priests who had offered animals that were blind or lame to be sacrificed and here he criticizes them for failing to teach the people Torah and for their bad administration.
The reading from Matthew's gospel introduces the controversy between Matthew's community and the Pharisaic party. The Pharisees were the successors of Moses' authority in the rabbinic school of Yavneh after the temple was destroyed in 70CE. According to Matthew the teaching of the Pharisees was sound but their practices did not follow in the same vein. The leaders in the community of the followers of Jesus must exercise humility, says Matthew and act as a servant.
Leadership is not an easy role in any situation, but in the Christian community leadership is a ministry of service. Service can be exercised through teaching God's ways and by good example.
St Paul paints a picture of loving and caring leadership in his letter to the Thessalonians. How do we exercise leadership in our own communities or even in our families and workplaces? Do we challenge bad or poor leadership? .
Pray with the psalm this week and ask God for the humility required of us all as we try to live by God's law