Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites

Fr Paul says today’s Gospel Matthew (23: 27-32) contains the last two of seven ‘Alas for you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites’, otherwise known as the seven woes.

Fr Paul explains that in this Gospel Jesus is saying he looks through the outward appearances to see the hidden truth beneath.  In relation to the scribes and Pharisees, he says, they carry out all the religious observances seen as necessary but they simply do not act with love towards their neighbour.  They do not offer to lift the burden or to help those around them.  They are only concerned with looking good.

Image for the scribes and Pharisees is everything.

With this Gospel in mind, Fr Paul invites us to reflect in our own lives… ‘How often do I act like the scribes and Pharisees?’ How often am I more concerned about looking good, worrying about what others might think of me, rather than helping and loving others around me?’