Today's readings are a challenge to all who are in positions of leadership and authority. The readings focus on the religious leaders of Israel - the priests, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. Malachi has hard words for the priests of his time: 'You have strayed from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your teaching ...so I have made you contemptible and vile in the eyes of the whole people.' Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus castigates the Pharisees and scribes. Their teaching is to be followed but not their behaviour. They do not practise what they preach and make it more difficult for people to follow God rather than showing the way to the weak. In our own day, we have known religious leaders who have failed in similar ways. But we need also to look at all people who have positions of authority and leadership - parents, teachers, politicians, business leaders and employers. If they claim to be Christian, they need to hear Jesus' words too. Rather our way should be that of Paul (2nd Reading): 'Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much.' May people be able to say that of us too.