To read the texts click on the texts: Ezekiel 43:1-7; Mt 23:1-12
Moses’ seat is a metaphorical expression representing the
teaching and administrative authority of the synagogue leadership, scribes and
Pharisees. Jesus condemns only the practice of the scribes and Pharisees and
not their teaching.
Matthew makes three points. The first is that they say
but do not do, the second is that they burden while failing to act
themselves and the third is that they act for the wrong reasons: to make
an impression on others.
“Phylacteries” is the term Matthew uses for the
tephillin, which were small leather boxes containing portions of the Torah
(Exod 13:1-16; Deut 6:4-9; 11:13-32) strapped to the forehead and arm during
the recitation of prayers in literal obedience to Deut 6:8. The “tassels” were
attached to the prayer shawls, and the most important seats in the synagogue
refer to the place of honour at the front facing the congregation, occupied by
teachers and respected leaders. The term “Rabbi” was a title of honour.
The point that the Gospel reading of today makes is that there
must be a correlation between our words and our actions. It is easy to say, but
difficult to do, it is easy to preach but difficult to practice. The way to
ensure that there is a correlation between the two is to first do and then say,
or better to let people hear not what you say but what you do.
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