When a person does something wrong, how the person would respond to the wrongdoing very much depends on the person's value system, morality code, conscience, or attitude towards life and the hereafter. Some people choose to keep the wrongdoing under wraps, or pretend that it never happened, or sweep it under the carpet, thinking and hoping that no one would notice or investigate or interrogate further. Some people would try to find a scapegoat to put the blame on, refusing to take any responsibility for what had happened. Some people would manipulate others or create a ruckus or a distraction, hoping that others would become preoccupied with other issues and forget or ignore the issue at hand. How many are truly, humbly or willingly able to admit the wrongdoing, seek forgiveness and make amends where possible, and move on?
In today's Gospel, we see Jesus exposing the many wrongdoings and nonsenses that the scribes and Pharisees had been guilty of. However, these scribes and Pharisees refused to admit or acknowledge their guilt. Instead, they reacted towards Jesus' accusation in this way: "...began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say." When we are proud, conceited or self-righteous, we may be behaving just like the scribes and Pharisees by refusing to change our ways. However, we should remember: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal. 6:7-8)" Are we setting ourselves up for eternal ruin and condemnation?
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