Thoughts for the Day

Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus speaks today of what is effectively a hidden sin, because what is spoken can often hide something rather nasty underneath. Hypocrisy can come with a smile and some nice comment, so that the other person feels pleased, but this all pretence. Hypocrites can profess their support, but are lying. They can hide their real character. Jesus says hypocrisy is like yeast - in can grow. He also warns us that what is hidden will become known, and we can hide our hypocrisy from others, but not from God.

In today's world it's possible to see hypocrisy behind much false or fake news. There have been incidents of people in the UK professing sympathy when someone goes missing, or at an unexpected death, and then whipping up the media to a frenzy. The result is that the real investigation suffers and often people are falsely accused and lives are ruined.

We need to reconcile ourselves to trying to be the best that we can in this life, to reach the highest standard as a Christian, but acknowledge to God how hard it is and how often we fail. This is the message that many Pharisees also needed to hear.

Lord God,
may we not pretend to be other than we are.
May we only speak the truth to You.
May we be honest and open with others.
May we we look at our motives honestly.
May we confess our sin when we slide back,
and make a fresh start each day.
Amen.