Contemplation and Action
The Chair of Moses
Photo by William Krause on Unsplash
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat
on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things
whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.”
(Matthew 23:1-3)
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This verse highlights the predicament in which we find ourselves in the Church today.
Different from the Pharisees of Our Lord’s time who taught the authentic Law of Moses but did not follow it in their own lives, we now have some modern day Pharisees whose teaching is itself corrupted… incompatible with the long-standing and unchangeable Tradition of the Church.
It is a tragic situation that has put us in a difficult position.
If these “teachers” who sit on the chair of Moses, these men who have been given authority to guard the Deposit of Faith, are telling us to do things that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus, what are we to do?
How can we know what is right and what is wrong?
How can we be sure we are living according to God’s will and not the spirit of the world?
The answer comes from Jesus Himself:
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in Heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah.
In other words, we DO indeed need to listen to those whom God has duly appointed in positions of authority. But we should never forget that these shepherds are the SERVANTS, not the MASTERS, of the Church. They DO NOT not have the authority, nor the power, to change the authentic Catholic faith. Their sole job is to lead the Lord’s flock through he narrow gate, not the gate that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).
How can we know the difference and navigate these confusing times?
By reminding ourselves that, despite all the “noise” and confusion, NOTHING has really changed:
… the Bible is still the Word of God,
… prayer is still prayer
… sin is still sin,
… virtue is still virtue, and
… Christ is still the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Throughout her history, the Church has seen many periods of crisis, not unlike the one we are living now. And in all those cases, it was the SAINTS — ordinary people with extraordinary faith — who stood up to the errors of their day with courage, perseverance, and unwavering faith in Our Lord.
May their example inspire us to do the same.
You have but one Master… the Messiah!
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