C: 8th Sun of OrdTime (3 Mar 2019) - COMMUNAL SELF-INTROSPECTION - Lk 6:39-45

Our gospel today talks about the Lukan warning against being hypocritical. Jesus was actually addressing this admonition to all the listeners of his Sermon on the Plain: “Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye” (Lk 6:42; parallel in Mt 7:5). What this passage emphasizes is that everyone should be self-introspecting since all—with no exemption—err anyway. In the pastoral setting, prerequisite in leadership is a humble admission of one’s weaknesses since it galvanizes one’s credibility to teach; otherwise one becomes a lame blind guide (Lk 6:39).

Luke uses the Greek appellation “hypokritēs” (“hypocrite”) thrice: addressed twice to the crowd (Lk 6:42; 12:56) and once to an unnamed synagogue leader (13:15). Matthew, on his part, uses the term 13 times: 5 times to the crowd and 8 times to the Pharisees and scribes (15:17; 22:18; 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29). From the samples, we can conclude that whereas Luke applies the term anonymously, Matthew specifically attaches it to a named group, i.e., the Pharisees and scribes. We can also say that while Luke extends the blame to everybody in general, Matthew pinpoints the religious leaders as the main culprits in particular. It is, nonetheless, understandable as to why Matthew puts the blame on this group almost exclusively. His context necessitates a radical corrective language in order for the incorrigible Jewish leaders to change their ways.

In reality, both the Lukan and Matthean approaches are correct anyway. We should seriously examine our own selves, yet becoming also brave to speak up against the evil ways of corrupt Church leaders. The problem with our media nowadays is that the latter has been singularly accentuated, especially within the growing cases of sexual abuse of minors. Sadly, this overemphasis has led to the public’s generalization that all clerics have predatory tendencies like them, and that they should not be trusted any longer for they are not any different from the Matthean Pharisaic blind guides, so to say.

True enough that some ecclesiastical leaders are guilty of the accusations. On their behalf, the Vatican humbly admits to the public the crimes done, apologizes to the victims for the damages inflicted, and vows to do the necessary legal steps to end these atrocities. Concretely, in order to address seriously this major issue, Pope Francis recently held a meeting of Church leaders for “The Protection of Minors in the Church” on February 21-24, 2019 held in Rome (see: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2019/february/documents/papa-francesco_20190224_incontro-protezioneminori-chiusura.html).

Yet, while recognizing the unfortunate sins committed by some erratic men in garb, the Holy Father, in the closing document, notes of a statistical gathered information: “The first truth that emerges from the data at hand is that those who perpetrate abuse, that is acts of physical, sexual or emotional violence, are primarily parents, relatives, husbands of child brides, coaches and teachers.” Succinctly, while we condemn the predatory acts of a few clergymen, we should bear in mind that most of the abuses to minors are done by lay people.

In effect, as Luke does not limit hypocritical attitude to the Pharisees, may we not crucify priests and bishops sweepingly. Indeed, they are not free from guilt, but what is needed now is a communal self-introspection of our failures and an admission of our abuses committed to minors in one way or another. Pope Francis extends the challenge to all of us: “we need to take up the spiritual means that the Lord himself teaches us: humiliation, self-accusation, prayer and penance. This is the only way to overcome the spirit of evil. It is how Jesus himself overcame it”.

- Rex Fortes, CM