The weightier things of the law

In the fourth woe addressed to the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus relativizes the duty of tithing in comparison to justice, mercy, and faith. While the scribes and Pharisees take pride in their giving of tithes on grain, wine, oil, and even on the tiniest herbs used for medicine, Jesus gives more value to judgment, mercy, and fidelity to God. For Jesus, fidelity to God and concern for human beings weigh more than attending to offerings to God.

In the fifth woe, Jesus looks at dietarypurity laws concerning “clean and unclean” food as subordinate to moral purity.

According to Levitical laws, Jews were not allowed to eat non-kosher food lest they be rendered unclean (Lv 27:30; Dt 14:22-23). For Jesus, a person’s moral integrity is more important. God despises hypocrisy, greed, and self-indulgence. The Psalmist declares: “For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn” (Ps 51:18-19).

Gospel • Mt 23:23-26

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-8959701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls. ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.