The warning not to imitate the religious life-style of the Scribes (the religious intellectuals) and the Pharisees (members of an elite religious fraternity that prided itself on the exact observance of the Law) "do not do what they do" (Mt. 23:3) is timely for us. These teachers in the synagogue had imposed minute priestly regulations (based on their own interpretations) of the Law on the simple common folk of Jesus' time. Their religious life-style and teachings were elaborate trimmings, presumably religious, but without heart and soul, as had been recommended in Deut. 6:8, 11:8; Ex. 13:9. The hypocritical behaviour of the religious leaders contrasted strongly with the easy yoke and light burden of Jesus. Mt. 11:28-30.

The ideal of Christian leadership is Jesus Himself, "learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light".

This holy season of Lent is a time given to us to focus on issues of the heart and spirit that acting gently, humbly and out of pure love of God, towards self and others, we divest ourselves of all self-interest in all our penitential practices. It's not plus points with God that we're after but a heart turned towards God in everything we do, so that God will ultimately begin to see His son Jesus, reflected in us.