BEWARE OF OSTENTATIOUS CHRISTIANITY
A period of lent is once more a call to
awareness of the inner self. Jesus brings to
lime light today the hypocritical nature of
the life of the elders of the religion who
lends more importance to religiosity in lieu
of true Christian spirituality. Jesus condemns
fake life of the elders of the church and calls
for true repentance. In the first reading, the
children of Israel were invited to renounce
evil in their relationship with God and with
one another. God promised the Israelites
purification and healing when they listen
and repent from their evil ways.
Ostentatious Christian life is a corruption of
religion and a false way of life that calls for a
total change of heart and a return to God.
For Christianity to be true and authentic,
theory and preaching must align with
action. Jesus warns us to avoid calling
anyone teacher or father for we have only
one teacher and father in heaven (Mt
12:9-10). This in a sense is an attempt to
curb the temptation of arrogating power
and glory to oneself, rather let God take
glory in whatever good we do. Any religion
which produces ostentation in action and
pride in the heart is a false religion.
TODAY’S GOSPEL: FOOD FOR THOUGHT By Fr.
Oscar Ugwoke