Suy Niệm Thứ Bẩy tuần 20th Thường
Niên.
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta hãy thử ngẫm nghĩ: chúng ta có như những người Biệt Phái những kẻ tự cho mình đạo đức hơn người khác, vì mình thông hiểu giáo lý, thuộc lòng và biết tất cả những Luật của Môisen, nhưng tai hại thay, họ đã không thực hành và cư xử như những gì họ đã học, và tin. Như thánh Phaolô đã nói “Đức tin không có hành động là chết”. Chúa Giêsu đã chỉ cho chúng ta thấy rằng những kiến thức đạo đức tôn giáo không phải là điều quan trọng nhất, nhưng phải là hành động của tình yêu.
Điểm chung để trở thành một người Kitô hữu là phải biết yêu mến Thiên Chúa và yêu thương người khác. Nếu chúng ta không thực hiện được điều đó, thì chúng ta còn thua cả những người ngoại giáo và chúng ta cũng chẳng là gì. Vì thế chúng ta cần phải tìm đến với những người khác hơn là chỉ biết ngồi ở một chỗ rung đùi trong cái chức vụ thoải mái của chúng ta
Chúa Giêsu cũng đã đưa ra cho chúng ta thấy cái tầm quan trọng của sự khiêm nhường và sự tha thứ. Ngay cả khi Ngài được gọi là bậc thầy, là “sư phụ” của các tông đồ, nhưng Ngài không bao giờ muốn được họ phục vụ, chính Ngài, ngài đã phục vụ họ như trong việc rửa chân cho họ trong bữa tiệc ly. Ngài còn dạy họ hãy làm cho người khác như chính Ngài đã làm cho họ.
Trong khi Chúa Giêsu bị nhạo báng ở dinh quan Philatồ, Ngài vẫn giữ được cái thái đô khiêm nhượng và hiền lành. Ngài bị đóng đinh như một tội phạm, nhưng Ngài đã sẵng sàng tha thứ cho kẻ thù của mình. Ngài đã làm tất cả, chịu sĩ nhục, chịu đánh, chịu đau khổ và ngay cả việc chịu chết để cứu rỗi tất cả các tội lỗi của con người chúng ta.
Chúng ta nên học nơi Chúa Giêsu, người Con một của Thiên Chúa đã hạ mình làm tôi đày, để sống giữa chúng ta, để phục vụ chúng ta hơn là để được phục vụ. "Trong anh em, người làm lớn cả, phải làm người phục vụ anh em. Ai tôn mình lên, sẽ bị hạ xuống, và ai hạ mình xuống sẽ được tôn lên."
"Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xin dạy chúng con biết sống theo sự khiêm tốn của Chúa là biết phục vụ mọi người để chúng con có thể được sống trong tình yêu trong Chúa như Chúa đã yêu thương chúng con. Xin Chúa đỗ đầy niềm vui trong việc phục vụ tha nhân nơi chúng con, để chúng con có thể nhận ra sự tự do đích thực trong tình yêu vị tha và phục vụ quảng đại cho những người chung quanh, xóm giềng của chúng con. "
REFLECTION
Today's Gospel calls for a change of attitude on the different levels of society. In the Church and in society, there are lawmakers and those who observe the law. This will always be the case and remain necessary but the Gospel condemns the lawmaker who imposes burdens on the shoulders of others without himself being willing to carry them. Lawmakers and observers of the law are governed by the same law of love.
There will always be people to with titles and degrees and dignitaries bedecked with medals for small or big achievements who often meet at exclusive parties and dinners. There will always be teachers and pupils, masters and students, those with diplomas and ordinary laborers. There will always be parents and children, adults and the young.
This is message in today's Gospel. It asks to reflect not so much on the terms that we use but on the way we live in community. The father and the son are together children of God. The teacher and his pupil are together disciples of Jesus. The lawmaker and other people are together under the great law of God, which is the law of love.
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time 2026
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. For they preach but they do not practice…”
What does it mean to be truly great in God’s eyes? In a world that prizes recognition, success, and honor, Jesus offers a radically different vision—one that exalts the lowly and humbles the proud.
Today’s Gospel takes place during the final week of Jesus’ earthly life as He participates in the Passover celebrations in the Temple. Throughout that week, He faced ongoing opposition and envy from the very religious leaders entrusted with guiding God’s people. Though these leaders gravely failed in their sacred duties, Jesus does not rebuke them out of resentment but with divine charity and a desire for their conversion. Of note, He does not address them directly, but speaks about them to the crowds and His disciples, humbling them through public correction. By doing so, Jesus makes it clear that His words are not merely a historical critique. They are a lasting teaching for every generation, offering timeless guidance for the Church and for every soul striving for holiness.
The scribes and Pharisees held legitimate authority. Having “taken their seat on the chair of Moses,” they were official interpreters of the Law. Jesus does not condemn the office, only the corruption of those who occupied it. The faithful are instructed to follow the teachings that conform to God’s law, even if the leaders’ lives fall short. This reminds us that the efficacy of the Church’s sacraments and teachings—entrusted today to the “chair of Peter”—depends not on the personal holiness of the minister, but on the divine authority of the office.
What Jesus does condemn is the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. They impose heavy burdens without offering help. Their religious observance is external, not flowing from hearts aflame with love. They seek titles and status—honor without humility—and in doing so, distort the very Law they claim to uphold.
Jesus contrasts this shallow religiosity with true holiness. He calls for interior conversion over external display. This message echoes the words of the prophets and resounds through the life of the Church, especially in the radiant witness of the saints. Time and again, we are reminded that humility and authenticity—not performance or prestige—mark the path of true discipleship.
Though His rebukes are sharp, the heart of Jesus’ message is love. He calls each of us to discover a higher form of greatness rooted in service, self-forgetfulness, and humility. “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”. In these words, Jesus unveils the paradox of the Kingdom: To descend in humility is to ascend in glory.
Though we may not sit on the chair of Moses or Peter, the sins of the scribes and Pharisees often echo in our own hearts. Their hypocrisy was outward—displays of piety, love of titles, and the burdening of others without compassion. Even without their authority or status, we may harbor what might be called a “hypocrisy of desire.” We long for recognition, crave influence, or quietly seek affirmation more than holiness. These hidden desires, even if never acted upon, reveal an interior disposition that mirrors the pride Jesus condemns.
Reflect today on any desires within your heart that are selfish or self-elevating rather than humble and oriented toward service. True charity always seeks the good of the other first. And paradoxically, it is precisely this self-forgetful love that brings about our own exaltation—not by our striving, but by God’s grace. Humble yourself, and God will lift you up. Exalt yourself, and your self-exaltation will be your only reward.
Lord of perfect humility, You never exalted Yourself, despite Your being the Son of God and Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Teach me to imitate and participate in Your humility, permitting myself to be lifted up on Your Cross, living sacrificially for You and others. In that humble, selfless, and sacrificial love, may I one day also share in Your glory. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
If you were to plan out the ideal future for yourself, what would it look like? Imagine if you were not constrained by budget or resources. Imagine if you could pick to do anything you wanted, to go anywhere you wanted, and enjoy any activity that you wanted. Imagine the greatest experience you could possibly have. What would that be? Most people would immediately think about indulging in the greatest pleasures imaginable. A life of the most luxurious accommodations, the best food, the most beautiful scenery and the most relaxing and enjoyable time possible. But would that truly be the “ideal future for yourself?”
The Gospel passage above is very clear. Greatness is found in servanthood. Exaltation is enjoyed only through humility. Is the ideal lifestyle one that is filled with indulgence, entertainment, luxury, and the like? Certainly not. The ideal life, the greatest life, the most exalted life is the life of the most humble service of others as possible. That’s essentially what Jesus tells us in this passage. Do you believe that?
Note that Jesus uses the words “greatest” and “must” in the same sentence. These two words are both quite definitive. There is no one greater than the “greatest,” and the path to that greatness requires, without exception, that the greatest be a servant of everyone else. In many ways, this truth defies most human conceptions of greatness. Most often, if someone is considered “great,” then they are served and treated with an honor and respect not given to most. For example, if you had someone of great importance over to your home for dinner, you would most likely wait on them. Of course, service in this context is much more than waiting on tables or providing a meal. Though that is a blessed way to serve others and to express love, Jesus’ concept of service goes far beyond this. How do we serve as one who is truly great? We do so especially by humbling ourselves. Humility is the greatest form of service we can render another.
Jesus was, without question, the humblest person to ever live. Only His mother shared perfectly in this holy virtue. Humility enables a person to break out of every selfish tendency and turn their love to the good of the other. Jesus did this first by becoming Incarnate in the womb of His dear mother. The Eternal Son of God did not become man because it somehow benefited Him in a self-centered way. He did it because He loved us and His Incarnation benefited us. The Son of God did not allow others to mock Him, ridicule Him and ultimately murder Him because it somehow benefitted Him. He did it so that He could enter death and destroy it so that we could rise with Him. He did it for us. And we could go through every passage of the Gospels and see that everything Jesus did was done for others and never done out of a selfish desire. This self-giving service our Lord offered every day was a fruit of the incredible humility that He lived. Jesus did everything He did out of His love for others and with humility so as to bring salvation and transformation to their eternal souls.
In our lives, we need to make a fundamental choice. Am I going to live for myself? Or am I going to live for others? It seems as though very few people live fully for others. It is difficult to take our eyes off ourselves and turn them only to the good of others. But if we realize that living for others is also the path to our own greatness and ultimate exaltation, then it becomes much easier. Serving others, especially in a spiritual way by which you do all you can to help them grow closer to God, is what will make you great. Nothing else can do so. Believe that and live it.
Reflect, today, upon a life of true greatness. Reflect, especially, upon how you can live such a life. How can you more completely serve others? How can you make their holiness your primary goal? How can you help others grow in their love of God? Humble yourself and turn your eyes from yourself to others. Doing so will make an eternal difference for others and also for yourself.
My exalted Lord, You are exalted far above all others. You are Greatness Itself. The life You lived, dear Lord, was one of the greatest humility. But it was in this humility that You accomplished the salvation of the world. Help me to imitate Your greatness by making the service of others my most central mission in life. I love you, my Lord. May I love and serve others with You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saturday 20th ordinary Time 2026
Opening Prayer: Lord God, bring me more deeply into the mystery of your divine humility. You are God and Lord over all, and yet are so humble. You care for me and know me by name. You know when I sit and when I stand and what my eternal destiny is. Guide me always toward your loving, eternal embrace
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Scribes and Pharisees: Jesus’ exhortation today is found at the beginning of his final major discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. The discourse concerns the coming destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70, the advent of the Kingdom of heaven, and the end of the world. In Chapter Twenty-Three, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees, delivers seven woes against them, and issues a lament over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus has just silenced the scribes and Pharisees and now turns to the crowds to draw out the contrast between the false way of the scribes and Pharisees and the true way of the new community, the Church, he is establishing. “The scribes and Pharisees, according to Jesus, are marked by pride and striving for rank and honor, whereas his way is the way of unity in fraternity through humility” (Huizenga, Behold the Christ, 372).
Saturday 20th ordinary Time 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, bring me more deeply into the mystery of your divine humility. You are God and Lord over all, and yet are so humble. You care for me and know me by name. You know when I sit and when I stand and what my eternal destiny is. Guide me always toward your loving, eternal embrace.
1. The Scribes and Pharisees: Jesus’ exhortation today is found at the beginning of his final major discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. The discourse concerns the coming destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70, the advent of the Kingdom of heaven, and the end of the world. In Chapter Twenty-Three, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees, delivers seven woes against them, and issues a lament over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus has just silenced the scribes and Pharisees and now turns to the crowds to draw out the contrast between the false way of the scribes and Pharisees and the true way of the new community, the Church, he is establishing. “The scribes and Pharisees, according to Jesus, are marked by pride and striving for rank and honor, whereas his way is the way of unity in fraternity through humility” (Huizenga, Behold the Christ, 372).
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta hãy thử ngẫm nghĩ: chúng ta có như những người Biệt Phái những kẻ tự cho mình đạo đức hơn người khác, vì mình thông hiểu giáo lý, thuộc lòng và biết tất cả những Luật của Môisen, nhưng tai hại thay, họ đã không thực hành và cư xử như những gì họ đã học, và tin. Như thánh Phaolô đã nói “Đức tin không có hành động là chết”. Chúa Giêsu đã chỉ cho chúng ta thấy rằng những kiến thức đạo đức tôn giáo không phải là điều quan trọng nhất, nhưng phải là hành động của tình yêu.
Điểm chung để trở thành một người Kitô hữu là phải biết yêu mến Thiên Chúa và yêu thương người khác. Nếu chúng ta không thực hiện được điều đó, thì chúng ta còn thua cả những người ngoại giáo và chúng ta cũng chẳng là gì. Vì thế chúng ta cần phải tìm đến với những người khác hơn là chỉ biết ngồi ở một chỗ rung đùi trong cái chức vụ thoải mái của chúng ta
Chúa Giêsu cũng đã đưa ra cho chúng ta thấy cái tầm quan trọng của sự khiêm nhường và sự tha thứ. Ngay cả khi Ngài được gọi là bậc thầy, là “sư phụ” của các tông đồ, nhưng Ngài không bao giờ muốn được họ phục vụ, chính Ngài, ngài đã phục vụ họ như trong việc rửa chân cho họ trong bữa tiệc ly. Ngài còn dạy họ hãy làm cho người khác như chính Ngài đã làm cho họ.
Trong khi Chúa Giêsu bị nhạo báng ở dinh quan Philatồ, Ngài vẫn giữ được cái thái đô khiêm nhượng và hiền lành. Ngài bị đóng đinh như một tội phạm, nhưng Ngài đã sẵng sàng tha thứ cho kẻ thù của mình. Ngài đã làm tất cả, chịu sĩ nhục, chịu đánh, chịu đau khổ và ngay cả việc chịu chết để cứu rỗi tất cả các tội lỗi của con người chúng ta.
Chúng ta nên học nơi Chúa Giêsu, người Con một của Thiên Chúa đã hạ mình làm tôi đày, để sống giữa chúng ta, để phục vụ chúng ta hơn là để được phục vụ. "Trong anh em, người làm lớn cả, phải làm người phục vụ anh em. Ai tôn mình lên, sẽ bị hạ xuống, và ai hạ mình xuống sẽ được tôn lên."
"Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xin dạy chúng con biết sống theo sự khiêm tốn của Chúa là biết phục vụ mọi người để chúng con có thể được sống trong tình yêu trong Chúa như Chúa đã yêu thương chúng con. Xin Chúa đỗ đầy niềm vui trong việc phục vụ tha nhân nơi chúng con, để chúng con có thể nhận ra sự tự do đích thực trong tình yêu vị tha và phục vụ quảng đại cho những người chung quanh, xóm giềng của chúng con. "
Today's Gospel calls for a change of attitude on the different levels of society. In the Church and in society, there are lawmakers and those who observe the law. This will always be the case and remain necessary but the Gospel condemns the lawmaker who imposes burdens on the shoulders of others without himself being willing to carry them. Lawmakers and observers of the law are governed by the same law of love.
There will always be people to with titles and degrees and dignitaries bedecked with medals for small or big achievements who often meet at exclusive parties and dinners. There will always be teachers and pupils, masters and students, those with diplomas and ordinary laborers. There will always be parents and children, adults and the young.
This is message in today's Gospel. It asks to reflect not so much on the terms that we use but on the way we live in community. The father and the son are together children of God. The teacher and his pupil are together disciples of Jesus. The lawmaker and other people are together under the great law of God, which is the law of love.
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. For they preach but they do not practice…”
What does it mean to be truly great in God’s eyes? In a world that prizes recognition, success, and honor, Jesus offers a radically different vision—one that exalts the lowly and humbles the proud.
Today’s Gospel takes place during the final week of Jesus’ earthly life as He participates in the Passover celebrations in the Temple. Throughout that week, He faced ongoing opposition and envy from the very religious leaders entrusted with guiding God’s people. Though these leaders gravely failed in their sacred duties, Jesus does not rebuke them out of resentment but with divine charity and a desire for their conversion. Of note, He does not address them directly, but speaks about them to the crowds and His disciples, humbling them through public correction. By doing so, Jesus makes it clear that His words are not merely a historical critique. They are a lasting teaching for every generation, offering timeless guidance for the Church and for every soul striving for holiness.
The scribes and Pharisees held legitimate authority. Having “taken their seat on the chair of Moses,” they were official interpreters of the Law. Jesus does not condemn the office, only the corruption of those who occupied it. The faithful are instructed to follow the teachings that conform to God’s law, even if the leaders’ lives fall short. This reminds us that the efficacy of the Church’s sacraments and teachings—entrusted today to the “chair of Peter”—depends not on the personal holiness of the minister, but on the divine authority of the office.
What Jesus does condemn is the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. They impose heavy burdens without offering help. Their religious observance is external, not flowing from hearts aflame with love. They seek titles and status—honor without humility—and in doing so, distort the very Law they claim to uphold.
Jesus contrasts this shallow religiosity with true holiness. He calls for interior conversion over external display. This message echoes the words of the prophets and resounds through the life of the Church, especially in the radiant witness of the saints. Time and again, we are reminded that humility and authenticity—not performance or prestige—mark the path of true discipleship.
Though His rebukes are sharp, the heart of Jesus’ message is love. He calls each of us to discover a higher form of greatness rooted in service, self-forgetfulness, and humility. “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”. In these words, Jesus unveils the paradox of the Kingdom: To descend in humility is to ascend in glory.
Though we may not sit on the chair of Moses or Peter, the sins of the scribes and Pharisees often echo in our own hearts. Their hypocrisy was outward—displays of piety, love of titles, and the burdening of others without compassion. Even without their authority or status, we may harbor what might be called a “hypocrisy of desire.” We long for recognition, crave influence, or quietly seek affirmation more than holiness. These hidden desires, even if never acted upon, reveal an interior disposition that mirrors the pride Jesus condemns.
Reflect today on any desires within your heart that are selfish or self-elevating rather than humble and oriented toward service. True charity always seeks the good of the other first. And paradoxically, it is precisely this self-forgetful love that brings about our own exaltation—not by our striving, but by God’s grace. Humble yourself, and God will lift you up. Exalt yourself, and your self-exaltation will be your only reward.
Lord of perfect humility, You never exalted Yourself, despite Your being the Son of God and Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Teach me to imitate and participate in Your humility, permitting myself to be lifted up on Your Cross, living sacrificially for You and others. In that humble, selfless, and sacrificial love, may I one day also share in Your glory. Jesus, I trust in You.
“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
If you were to plan out the ideal future for yourself, what would it look like? Imagine if you were not constrained by budget or resources. Imagine if you could pick to do anything you wanted, to go anywhere you wanted, and enjoy any activity that you wanted. Imagine the greatest experience you could possibly have. What would that be? Most people would immediately think about indulging in the greatest pleasures imaginable. A life of the most luxurious accommodations, the best food, the most beautiful scenery and the most relaxing and enjoyable time possible. But would that truly be the “ideal future for yourself?”
The Gospel passage above is very clear. Greatness is found in servanthood. Exaltation is enjoyed only through humility. Is the ideal lifestyle one that is filled with indulgence, entertainment, luxury, and the like? Certainly not. The ideal life, the greatest life, the most exalted life is the life of the most humble service of others as possible. That’s essentially what Jesus tells us in this passage. Do you believe that?
Note that Jesus uses the words “greatest” and “must” in the same sentence. These two words are both quite definitive. There is no one greater than the “greatest,” and the path to that greatness requires, without exception, that the greatest be a servant of everyone else. In many ways, this truth defies most human conceptions of greatness. Most often, if someone is considered “great,” then they are served and treated with an honor and respect not given to most. For example, if you had someone of great importance over to your home for dinner, you would most likely wait on them. Of course, service in this context is much more than waiting on tables or providing a meal. Though that is a blessed way to serve others and to express love, Jesus’ concept of service goes far beyond this. How do we serve as one who is truly great? We do so especially by humbling ourselves. Humility is the greatest form of service we can render another.
Jesus was, without question, the humblest person to ever live. Only His mother shared perfectly in this holy virtue. Humility enables a person to break out of every selfish tendency and turn their love to the good of the other. Jesus did this first by becoming Incarnate in the womb of His dear mother. The Eternal Son of God did not become man because it somehow benefited Him in a self-centered way. He did it because He loved us and His Incarnation benefited us. The Son of God did not allow others to mock Him, ridicule Him and ultimately murder Him because it somehow benefitted Him. He did it so that He could enter death and destroy it so that we could rise with Him. He did it for us. And we could go through every passage of the Gospels and see that everything Jesus did was done for others and never done out of a selfish desire. This self-giving service our Lord offered every day was a fruit of the incredible humility that He lived. Jesus did everything He did out of His love for others and with humility so as to bring salvation and transformation to their eternal souls.
In our lives, we need to make a fundamental choice. Am I going to live for myself? Or am I going to live for others? It seems as though very few people live fully for others. It is difficult to take our eyes off ourselves and turn them only to the good of others. But if we realize that living for others is also the path to our own greatness and ultimate exaltation, then it becomes much easier. Serving others, especially in a spiritual way by which you do all you can to help them grow closer to God, is what will make you great. Nothing else can do so. Believe that and live it.
Reflect, today, upon a life of true greatness. Reflect, especially, upon how you can live such a life. How can you more completely serve others? How can you make their holiness your primary goal? How can you help others grow in their love of God? Humble yourself and turn your eyes from yourself to others. Doing so will make an eternal difference for others and also for yourself.
My exalted Lord, You are exalted far above all others. You are Greatness Itself. The life You lived, dear Lord, was one of the greatest humility. But it was in this humility that You accomplished the salvation of the world. Help me to imitate Your greatness by making the service of others my most central mission in life. I love you, my Lord. May I love and serve others with You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, bring me more deeply into the mystery of your divine humility. You are God and Lord over all, and yet are so humble. You care for me and know me by name. You know when I sit and when I stand and what my eternal destiny is. Guide me always toward your loving, eternal embrace
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Scribes and Pharisees: Jesus’ exhortation today is found at the beginning of his final major discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. The discourse concerns the coming destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70, the advent of the Kingdom of heaven, and the end of the world. In Chapter Twenty-Three, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees, delivers seven woes against them, and issues a lament over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus has just silenced the scribes and Pharisees and now turns to the crowds to draw out the contrast between the false way of the scribes and Pharisees and the true way of the new community, the Church, he is establishing. “The scribes and Pharisees, according to Jesus, are marked by pride and striving for rank and honor, whereas his way is the way of unity in fraternity through humility” (Huizenga, Behold the Christ, 372).
Opening Prayer: Lord God, bring me more deeply into the mystery of your divine humility. You are God and Lord over all, and yet are so humble. You care for me and know me by name. You know when I sit and when I stand and what my eternal destiny is. Guide me always toward your loving, eternal embrace.
1. The Scribes and Pharisees: Jesus’ exhortation today is found at the beginning of his final major discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. The discourse concerns the coming destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70, the advent of the Kingdom of heaven, and the end of the world. In Chapter Twenty-Three, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees, delivers seven woes against them, and issues a lament over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus has just silenced the scribes and Pharisees and now turns to the crowds to draw out the contrast between the false way of the scribes and Pharisees and the true way of the new community, the Church, he is establishing. “The scribes and Pharisees, according to Jesus, are marked by pride and striving for rank and honor, whereas his way is the way of unity in fraternity through humility” (Huizenga, Behold the Christ, 372).
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