Hypocrisy is defined as a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess; or a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude. People are hypocrites when they are not being real, they put on a show but in actuality are not who or what they really are, and do not practise what they preach.
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us to "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear." We can try to appear to be holy, or religious, or humble, but our pretense or masquerade could be exposed. Instead, we need to be truthful and honest about ourselves: are we really being who we are? Are we saying and doing things for our own benefit and glory, or just to sound good or look good, or just to please others? Are we being blind guides and causing others to stray? We may think we can run, but we cannot hide forever. One day we would need to give an account of our attitude, behaviour and conduct. When that happens, what would the consequences be?
As Jesus cautions us in the Gospel: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell." Let us thus be true, be real, be genuine in what we say and do, and make every effort and without pretense to walk humbly in God's presence, learning to love all, while trusting and depending on Him.
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us to "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear." We can try to appear to be holy, or religious, or humble, but our pretense or masquerade could be exposed. Instead, we need to be truthful and honest about ourselves: are we really being who we are? Are we saying and doing things for our own benefit and glory, or just to sound good or look good, or just to please others? Are we being blind guides and causing others to stray? We may think we can run, but we cannot hide forever. One day we would need to give an account of our attitude, behaviour and conduct. When that happens, what would the consequences be?
As Jesus cautions us in the Gospel: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell." Let us thus be true, be real, be genuine in what we say and do, and make every effort and without pretense to walk humbly in God's presence, learning to love all, while trusting and depending on Him.
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