Jesus' warnings: 'Woe To You!'

Where do we stand on these warnings?

Monday, August 29, 2011; Matthew 23:1–2, 5–7

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

Earthly admiration: Religious ornaments, high visibility during feasts and worship, titles of respect. Heavenly praise: humility and service

Tuesday, August 30, 2011; Matthew 23:14

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

Woes & blindness: Fleecing the helpless, faking long prayers

Wednesday, August 31, 2011; Matthew 23:16–19

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

Irrational ‘wisdom’ phrases:

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they’re always watching!” Robert Fulghum.

“Don’t ever confuse the two – your life and your work.” Anna Quindlen.

“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity.” Ray Bradbury.

Thursday, September 1, 2011; Matthew 23:23–24

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

Woes & blindness: giving 10% of small goods, but ignoring justice, mercy and faith.

Friday, September 2, 2011; Matthew 23:25–26

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Woes & blindness: washing mugs but being extortionists and self-indulgent.