Spiritual Inconsistency!

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23: 1-12

Today’s Gospel highlights that spiritual inconsistency is nothing but hypocrisy, and authentic discipleship consists in preserving the integrity between words and deeds. 

Jesus instructs his disciples not to follow the example of the Scribes and Pharisees for three reasons. 

1. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees because their love for God was not translated into neighborliness. Such spiritual inconsistency and outward righteousness only dishonored God. For Jesus, religiosity is about growing more just and compassionate. 

2. Jesus wanted his disciples not to follow the leadership example of the religious leaders because it did not culminate in service. Religious leadership is not about seeking admiration. When we understand leadership as God’s vocation and gift, it will become a sacred service. 

3. Jesus’ emphasis on humility proceeds from the bad example of the Scribes and Pharisees. For a Christian, humility is not weakness. It is the fruit of one’s spirituality. It is the realization that our dignity comes not from our authority but from our intimacy with God.

On finding the Scribes and Pharisees failing the people on these counts, Jesus warns that his disciples never inherit the false notions of religiosity, leadership, and humility. 

Let us pray that we may honor God by ever striving towards moral and spiritual integrity.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar