We continue Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees or rather, the pharisaical mind which can still be found in the Church, in every religion and every society. Daily we see the abuse of authority and power, whether in the Church, in government, in business, leading to all kinds of greed and corruption which undermines the very fabric of our societies. Positions of service are turned into instruments of personal gain, often at the expense of the weakest and the most needy. Countries which long ago should have become rich and prosperous and provide a high quality of life for their people are bankrupt, in every sense of the word, while a small elite live lives of shameless luxury. The Church, too, can find itself over-concerned with matters of money at the expense of its pastoral mission. A diocese, a parish, a bishop or priest who is rich in a world of poverty and need is a major stumbling block to the hearing of the Gospel.

Is there anything of the Pharisee in me? Do I want to control, to manipulate people or rather to be at the service of others and concerned with their welfare?