Beware of the leaven – that is, the hypocrisy – of the Pharisees

19 OCTOBER (Lk 12,1-7)

The hypocrite is a person without the law of God in his heart. He hides this absence of truth, wisdom, science, fear of the Lord, obedience to the commandments with a mask of religiosity made of pure externality. While he is all moral dirt, ethical filth, impurity and lust, pride and greed; on the outside he shows to be of a very strict observance to a religious code that he himself has created to better hide the rot that is in his heart, his soul, and in his spirit.

Usually, the hypocrites are the most observant of liturgical norms, the most strenuous defenders the rituals, those who are ready to condemn and judge those who fail to observe even the most invisible programmes. This appearance of legality is the shield that they use to better hide the absence in them of any genuine morality. The life of a hypocrite is sad. His life is sad and he saddens the life of every one of his brothers.

He who studies the law masters it, but the hypocrite finds it a trap. His judgment is sound who fears the Lord; out of obscurity he draws forth a clear plan. The sinner turns aside reproof and distorts the law to suit his purpose. The thoughtful man will not neglect direction; the proud and insolent man is deterred by nothing. Do nothing without counsel, and then you need have no regrets. Go not on a way that is set with snares, and let not the same thing trip you twice. Be not too sure even of smooth roads, be careful on all your paths. Whatever you do, be on your guard, for in this way you will keep the commandments. He who keeps the law preserves himself; and he who trusts in the Lord shall not be put to shame. No evil can harm the man who fears the Lord; through trials, again and again he is safe. He who hates the law is without wisdom, and is tossed about like a boat in a storm. The prudent man trusts in the word of the Lord, and the law is dependable for him as a divine oracle. Prepare your words and you will be listened to; draw upon your training, and then give your answer. Like the wheel of a cart is the mind of a fool; his thoughts revolve in circles. A fickle friend is like the stallion that neighs, no matter who the rider. (Sir 32,15-33.6).

Jesus does not want his disciples to let themselves be taken by the virus or worse by the leprosy or plague of hypocrisy. The Gospel does not tolerate this disease, because it is destructive of its credibility. The Gospel can be spread only by showing its inner and outer beauty. If it is disfigured with hypocrisy, never will it be believed and man remains with no true salvation. He remains left to himself.

Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven – that is, the hypocrisy – of the Pharisees. “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus wants his disciples to know one truth: hypocrisy does not hold. For a moment you can cheat the other. Immediately after whatever is boiling in the pot of the heart comes out as the foam comes out and pours from the pot. Faith and non faith, piety and impiety, folly and wisdom, light and darkness, always come out, appear and are revealed. Who becomes a disciple of Jesus cannot hide this truth. It necessarily, inevitably will come out at his first gesture, first decision, first action, first words, first feeling, and first manifested thought. We have a glass body. All that is in it is always visible.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels, and Saints, free us from all hypocrisy.

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