The history of the world becomes similar again and again.

Jesus often comes into contact with the scribes and Pharisees. We hear that even today, he addresses them: “Woe” (Mt 23 27). The Pharisees demanded the observance of many rules derived from tradition and unreasonably limited personal freedom. By interpreting certain parts of the law, they imposed on the people such obligations that they secretly overlooked and even deliberately avoided. They saw their primary mission as ostentatious piety. Nothing was too holy not to serve this purpose. God told Moses about His commandments. These words have a deep meaning. If a person thinks about God’s word and lives according to it, he is exalted by nature. God’s law’s principles will manifest in just and compassionate action. Man will not succumb to bribes and various other seductive temptations.

Thus, you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets(cf. Mat 23,29-31). The Jews were very eager to decorate the tombs of the prophets to show their respect for them. However, they did not heed their messages and words of warning. In the time of Christ, superstitious attention was paid to the graves of the dead, and their decoration required considerable expense. It was idolatry before God. By their indecent worship of the dead, people showed that they did not love God above all, nor their neighbors as themselves. Much of the same idolatry can be observed today. They widen their prayer straps and enlarge the fringes on their robes. They like to have the leading places at banquets and the first seats in synagogues, greetings in the squares, and even when people call them Master! Jesus says: But do not let yourselves be called Master, for one is your teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth father, for one is your heavenly Father. Do not even be called leaders, because one is your Leader, Christ (cf. Mat 23,5-10). Here, the Savior revealed their selfish ambition, striving for a position of power, and exposed their false humility, under which a heart full of avarice and envy was hidden.

Jesus warns when, on festive occasions, the guests were seated according to rank, and those given the most prominent places were the center of attention and unique favor. The Pharisees still sought this honor. Jesus condemned these customs. He also reprimanded the vain desire to be addressed as rabbi and master. What is it like to be the guest of honor at a lavish banquet? You enter the banquet hall door, and your host gives you a big smile and leads you to the place of honor behind the top table. When is a person proud? How to distinguish pride from pride in the work done, which is only a natural reaction? A person should know his gifts and strengths and be healthy and proud of his accomplishments. There is only a tiny step between healthy pride and pride. It is in the view of others.