Did you TAKE the seat of Moses?

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
brown wooden armchair in close up shot
The Chair – Authority becomes corrupted when the seat becomes possession rather than service. Mary is exalted precisely because she did not grasp at exaltation.

Greetings on this the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Ezekiel 43:1-7ab; Psalm 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 13-14; Matthew 23:1-12

Summary

Today we celebrate the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the octave of her Assumption to heaven.
The Blessed Mother is honored by her Son and Lord to be seated as Queen Mother – Mother of the Reigning Monarch Jesus. The concept of the “queen mother” has been used for over 3,400 years, dating back at least to the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt (c. 1500 BCE) (ref: Wiki).

The ordinary readings for today concern themselves with titles so we’ll use the ordinary reading to reflect upon this morning.

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice (Mt 23:1-3).

The Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees has four distinct parts but is one unified whole. If you are in the seat of Moses, you are expected to be the servant leader in honesty and integrity.

  1. Someone must occupy the seat of Moses, that is, someone must have authority to speak (Jesus is not saying teaching authority is void).
  2. But not the way it is being done:
    2a. They do not follow what they tell you.
    2b. They preach but do not practice.
    2c. They create burdens without assisting.
    2d. They act in perfunctory ways.
    2e. They love honors and titles.

The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Mt 23:11-12).

  1. Rabbi, Father, and Master name real functions and relationships, but Jesus condemns their use as instruments of superiority, prestige, or self-exaltation.
    3a. Do as you instruct.
    3b. Practice what you preach.
    3c. Share the burdens.
    3d. Act with sincerity.
    3e. Know that titles are for function and authority not personal attributes and personal gain.
  2. A series of seven “woes” that are the apex of the teaching and a summation of the consequences of hypocrisy.

Reflection

Did you TAKE the seat of Moses?

The Blessed Mother did not take her seat but was elevated to her place by Her Son and Lord.

We must always consider the taking v receiving and the performative v the integrity needed to be a servant leader.

Personal Reflection

Lord, whenever I am given a title for function and authority may it always be in service for the kingdom. May I not seek personal gain or haughty attributes and may hypocrisy be far from me always. Mary, Mother of Our Lord, Pray for us!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Leave a Reply