08-25-2015, 09:58 AM
THE WOES OF INSINCERITY
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1THESSA 2:1-8; MT 23:23-26
The message of today’s scripture readings can be summarized in just one word: sincerity. How sincere we are with ourselves will determine how sincere we are with others. Our lack of sincerity not only deceives others but we ultimately deceive ourselves too. By being insincere with ourselves, we hurt ourselves much, much more than we hurt others. A person who is not sincere with himself is not one with himself. When we are not integrated, we become divided within and this is where the real source of division begins. When a person is divided within himself, that inner division is manifested in his division with others and with God. That is why Jesus pronounced them as woes to us. Why are they woes to us more than to others?
Firstly, when we are concerned with the trivials of the law, it is but our way of escaping the reality of the situation. Catholics, for example, are more concerned with whether they attend mass on Sundays and that they make it before the gospel reading is over, or that they abstain from meat on Fridays than whether they are practising justice and charity towards their fellow human beings or even their family members at home or in the office. What is the use of observing the details of the law when it does not make us more loving and just people? Instead, we might begin to think that we are so righteous when we are not. That is why it is a tragedy and a woe.
Secondly, when we are concerned more with the externals than the interior disposition, we know that we are not what we claim to be. We might be civil and polite to others, but deep within we know that our motives are not sincere. We know that we are putting up a show. Such insincerity cannot but make us hate ourselves. And to know that we have deceived others, make us even more angry with ourselves because we know better. And because we are concerned with externals, we become slaves to others. We have lost our inner and outer freedom. Whereas for a person who is true to himself, and is more concerned with his internal disposition, the external behaviour will manifest itself accordingly. His goodness will simply flow out from his heart. He does not even need to think how to be good. And because his goodness comes from within him, such good works are truly selfless and liberating.
Today, in the first reading, we have the example of St Paul. He is truly one of the most sincere men that we read in the bible. St Paul is so true to himself. He is not ashamed of his mistakes and his weaknesses; but at the same time, he is conscious of God’s grace and blessings. In all his letters, we can feel that this man always speaks from the depths of his heart in utter concern and love for his fellow human beings. Yes, as he said in today’s letter, he does not use deceit or any sort of trickery or flattery. He does not even seek to please man but only to please God. He is not out to get glory for himself, but only for Christ.
Indeed, to seek to please God alone is nothing else but to be true to Him alone; to be true to self, doing all things for Him. For such a person, he is truly liberated and is at peace within himself. Only a person who is truly sincere to self can be happy.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1THESSA 2:1-8; MT 23:23-26
The message of today’s scripture readings can be summarized in just one word: sincerity. How sincere we are with ourselves will determine how sincere we are with others. Our lack of sincerity not only deceives others but we ultimately deceive ourselves too. By being insincere with ourselves, we hurt ourselves much, much more than we hurt others. A person who is not sincere with himself is not one with himself. When we are not integrated, we become divided within and this is where the real source of division begins. When a person is divided within himself, that inner division is manifested in his division with others and with God. That is why Jesus pronounced them as woes to us. Why are they woes to us more than to others?
Firstly, when we are concerned with the trivials of the law, it is but our way of escaping the reality of the situation. Catholics, for example, are more concerned with whether they attend mass on Sundays and that they make it before the gospel reading is over, or that they abstain from meat on Fridays than whether they are practising justice and charity towards their fellow human beings or even their family members at home or in the office. What is the use of observing the details of the law when it does not make us more loving and just people? Instead, we might begin to think that we are so righteous when we are not. That is why it is a tragedy and a woe.
Secondly, when we are concerned more with the externals than the interior disposition, we know that we are not what we claim to be. We might be civil and polite to others, but deep within we know that our motives are not sincere. We know that we are putting up a show. Such insincerity cannot but make us hate ourselves. And to know that we have deceived others, make us even more angry with ourselves because we know better. And because we are concerned with externals, we become slaves to others. We have lost our inner and outer freedom. Whereas for a person who is true to himself, and is more concerned with his internal disposition, the external behaviour will manifest itself accordingly. His goodness will simply flow out from his heart. He does not even need to think how to be good. And because his goodness comes from within him, such good works are truly selfless and liberating.
Today, in the first reading, we have the example of St Paul. He is truly one of the most sincere men that we read in the bible. St Paul is so true to himself. He is not ashamed of his mistakes and his weaknesses; but at the same time, he is conscious of God’s grace and blessings. In all his letters, we can feel that this man always speaks from the depths of his heart in utter concern and love for his fellow human beings. Yes, as he said in today’s letter, he does not use deceit or any sort of trickery or flattery. He does not even seek to please man but only to please God. He is not out to get glory for himself, but only for Christ.
Indeed, to seek to please God alone is nothing else but to be true to Him alone; to be true to self, doing all things for Him. For such a person, he is truly liberated and is at peace within himself. Only a person who is truly sincere to self can be happy.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh