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. -Matt 23:3
Friends, God is good all the time!
Our spoken words have both power and effect on those who hear them, but they also tell a lot about us. But of equal magnitude in force and effect are the actions we engage in; the silent speeches we make. Our actions speak more eloquently about us to the people who observe them; our ways and deeds have impact on others.
The church celebrates August 22 as the memorial of the queenship of Mary. Mary's entire life comes across as a silent speech. She does not utter many words with her lips. However, she proclaims, loudly with her life. She ponders much and says little. But even today, she keeps making audible speeches with her life to all Christians that we should live humbly and accept God's will for our lives, to praise and please God for us to be faithful witnesses.
But notice how Jesus cautions his disciples against the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees by contrasting their eloquent lip speeches with their displeasing deeds. The scribes and the Pharisees constituted the teaching elites and the enforcers of the religious and societal norms and practices. However, in their personal conduct and deeds, they showed a lack of moral pedigree and authority that was needed for imitation. That is why Jesus told the disciples to "do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach, but they do not practice."
When the Pharisees wanted to challenge Jesus' moral authority for living and loving people in a manner that contradicted their style, they often set Him on slippery slopes with their disguised questions. Their question about what Jesus considered the greatest commandment of the law prompted Jesus to lay out the components of Christian love plan. The highest love plan is one that fully invest the heart, soul, mind in the love God and to express equal degree of love towards the neighbor and oneself. Such love plan was self-evident in Jesus' actions towards God and all people. Though Jesus was a teacher, it was not only his words that spoke loudly, but how He welcomed, listened, taught, and aided the people who came to Him.
The silent speech of a Christian is more significant as we see in the life of Mary and Jesus than the audible lip speeches of the Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus and Mary spoke more with their actions and less with words, which contrast the Scribes and Pharisees who spoke less with actions but more with word. In the end, as Jesus hints us, the Christian should aim at being more eloquent silent speakers.
Prayer blessings: Father, great and wonderful are your deeds, just and true are your ways. Help me to live in imitation of your son and His Mother who teach us how to walk and live well if we are to please you. Amen.