all they say; but do not do as they do, for they do not do what they say. They tie up heavy
burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even lift a finger to
move them. They do everything in order to be seen by people: they wear very wide bands|
of the law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels. They enjoy the first places
at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and they like being greeted in the
marketplace, and being called ‘Master’ by the people.

But you, do not let yourselves be called Master, because you have only one Master,
and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father,
because you have only one Father, he who is in heaven. Nor should you be called Leader,
because Christ is the only Leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of
all. For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
shall be made great.

Reflect

We place a great deal of trust in our leaders, especially our religious leaders. We count
on them to teach the truth and to show us how to live by the example of their own lives.
Given the importance that they have in our lives of faith, it is not surprising that reports of
clerical abuse of children and vulnerable persons have rocked the Church. Of course,
cases of abuse are not limited to the Church. They are found in every faith community,
in schools and community groups, and even in families. The Church should be a safe
place for children and for those in need, but too often it has not been that place. Every
member of the Church has a role to play in keeping children safe, in holding
leaders accountable, and in helping victims find healing. In today’s Gospel, Jesus called
the religious leaders of his day to account, reminding them that their role was not about
power, but about service. Jesus makes the same call to religious leaders and people
of faith today. He calls us to spend our lives protecting and serving those in greatest need.

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