Towards Simplicity and Depth
(Mal 1:14-2:2, 8-10; 1The 2:7-9,13; Mt 23:1-12)
I had a dream. I insist it was only a dream.
White smoke was spewing out of the chimney of the Sistine chapel of theVatican. “Habemus Papam,” they announced. Next thing, I saw was, the new pope at his window. But he looked just ordinary: there was nothing of scarlet on him; he was dressed in normal clothes, no ring on his finger, no mitre, he just had a simple cross hanging down his neck. As the spontaneous cheer of the thousands gathered at St Peter’s went quiet, as the scene was beamed to millions in their homes across the globe, and as the cameras zoomed in, the new pope began to speak: “Simplicity and Depth”, he said with enthusiasm, “this is my prayer for myself, for you, for the whole church, and for all people of good will.” He went on to give a short reflection on three passages, all linked up around the theme of Simplicity and Depth: Lk 5:4; Mk 6:8, and Lk 6:48. The media were reluctant in their judgement of the new pope: “We wait to be surprised,” they said.
After a week, the media reported that the new pope had formed a commission to study how theVaticantreasures could be disposed off. I heard some of the Catholic clergy say: “Oh, he has no appreciation for culture and art.” The following week, there was another announcement about starting a serious study on whetherVaticanshould remain a political state! Then they said, “He has no sense of history.” The new pope’s angelus messages were simply focussed on the experience of God in Jesus. He spoke of Christian spirituality, not of dogma, canons and rubrics. There were mixed reactions about the new pope!
I woke up with a start, and knew it was only a dream!
Simplicity: The greatest among you must be your servant (Mt 23:11)
In the gospel text of today, and in fact in the whole of chapter 23, Matthew collects some sayings of Jesus to highlight Jesus’ criticisms of the religious authorities of his day. We could choose to pass by these sayings of Jesus as merely historical – applicable only to the religious authorities of his time. Or we could choose to make them existential: apply them not only to the religious authorities of our own day but to the community as a whole. We could recognise in the gospel text of today some concern of Matthew about the Christian community of his own time with regard to the exercise of leadership and responsibility. Then the Word of God could become alive for us today.
At the outset, Jesus recognises the importance of religious authority in a believing community. In principle, the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees is to be followed, while their behaviour is not to be imitated (Mt 23:2-3). However, since their actions do not reflect their words, Jesus elsewhere becomes very critical even of their teaching. He calls them, “blind guides” (Mt 23:24, 26), and using some very strong language, that is even unbecoming of Jesus, he tells his disciples “to be on their guard, not against yeast for making bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Mt 16:12; also 23:13-35).
Therefore, in the gospel passage of today, through the words of Matthew, Jesus invites the religious leaders of his time, and the leaders of our church community today towards simplicity. This simplicity, in negative terms, can be described as the absence of four unhealthy tendencies – not only from the passage we heard read but from the whole chapter of Mt 23:
- Hypocrisy: of saying one thing and doing another (Mt 23:2, also vv.14, 25);
- Defending oneself – one’s weaknesses and lack of depth – by insisting with others to follow the regulations meticulously, and often arguing their way through high-flown theology and philosophy (Mt 23:4);
- Lack of deep compassion for the members of the community; overburdening them by imposing obedience (Mt 23:4); and
- Using their position as leaders to boost up their own pride and ego: showing off and attracting attention (Mt 23:5); using the privileges of their leadership position for their own advantage (Mt 23:6-7).
If we did an honest soul-searching we know these tendencies are not theirs, but ours! That is why, it is important to notice that the gospel text of today is addressed to the crowds and the disciples (Mt 23:1). To them, he proposes the virtue of humility, and what I have called, simplicity. This simply consists in not drawing our personal identities from the roles that we fulfil, nor from the titles that are attached to our roles (23: 8-10). In fulfilling our responsibilities as church leaders, Jesus invites us to respect the supremacy of God, the father!
Depth: “Have we not all one Father?” (Mal 2:10; also Mt 23:9)
The virtue of humility or simplicity is something that we desire for ourselves. I know I desire it for myself, but it is not easy to come by. So what could I be doing? The first reading of today invites us to focus on the covenant – the relationship – with God, the Father. In our own humble surrender to the presence of God, we realise our true selves in the depths of our hearts, and we become more compassionate towards others.
In the deep realisation that we all have one Father – who is in Heaven – I am ready to give up my own petty positions. In the deep realisation that my self-worth is anchored on God, I am willing to shed myself of all those paraphernalia that I use to hide my own insecurities. In the deep realisation that I am loved by God, I am able to open up myself in deep compassion to others.
This is the Good News, God’s Good News (1The 2:9), as we heard read in the 2nd reading of today. I can be humble because of my depth. Our Christian community can be simple because we are rooted in God. The sole reason for the existence of the Church is to mediate this Gospel of God: have we not all one Father?