Daily Reflection
October 16, 2025

With how many times the Pharisees and scribes are depicted unfavorably in the Gospels, it could be easy to assume that these were not good people. Often, they are the antagonists who test Jesus with questions related to being a “good” child of God, as defined by them. In truth, Pharisees were known in their day as devout adherents to the Law, and it seems that the Pharisees viewed themselves as the truest and best of the children of Abraham. These folks appear to proudly believe that they had mastered the intricacies and complexities of God’s Law, and they viewed their group as the standard bearers of good religious, moral, political, economic, and social behavior. The Pharisees may have thought that all faithful individuals should aspire to be like them since, in their minds, pharisaical behaviors and attitudes signified faithfulness. They also likely thought that the Messiah, when He came, would recognize their importance, maybe even reward them for the great work they were doing.

That’s not what happened, though. From our vantage point, a couple millennia later, it may seem strange that these devout, moral individuals did not recognize the Messiah standing right before them, but Jesus did not fit their vision of what a Messiah would or should be. It may also seem strange that Jesus saved his harshest criticisms for these individuals whose piety earned them a great deal of respect from so many people. What a frustration it must have been for them to encounter a carpenter’s son who spoke with an authority that challenged their own, but who chose to dine with people who should be avoided, like sinners and tax collectors, instead of associating exclusively with righteous souls. How maddening it must have been to have this itinerant preacher not only refuse to join in their condemnation of a woman caught in adultery - clearly in violation of a commandment – but instead point out their own shortcomings before showing mercy to the transgressor (John 8). I can imagine their exasperation when Jesus told parables that turned traditional notions of heroes and villains upside down: the Good Samaritan helping when a priest and a Levite did not (verse); the tax collector who quietly prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” while a Pharisee boastfully thanked God for being better than other people (Luke 18); the teachers of the Law in flowing robes who take places of honor and “for a show make lengthy prayers” but “will be punished most severely” for taking advantage of the vulnerable (Mark 12:38-40). In short, what a nightmare it must have been for the Pharisees and scribes, who thought they were good, to be told repeatedly that they were hypocrites whose thoughts and actions were not, in fact, in accordance with God’s wishes.

So why did Jesus have such a problem with these pillars of Jewish religion and society? In the Gospel readings from yesterday and today, we learn that the Pharisees too often misused their religious authority for personal gain and to keep others down. Their focus on religious purity led to the imposition of rules and practices not found in God’s Law along with a misinterpretation of the Law that neglected the love of God and neighbor, the greatest commandments on which “all the Law and the Prophets hang” (Matthew 22:37-40). They used their interpretation of the Law, which was given to bring people into closer relationship with God, as a weapon to drive people away.

I am not aware of any Christians today who proudly identify as Pharisees, but pharisaical attitudes are still around. I suspect we all show signs of pharisaical behavior from time to time. (I confess I do.) It helps me to be aware of how easily that can creep into my faith life. It can be tempting to rail against the sins of others and delight in their punishments, forgetting (as today’s reading from Paul reminds us) that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. When I fall into this trap, I fail to extend God’s mercy even though I have received it more times than I can count. It can be tempting, because I am a “good” person and a Christian, to believe I know what God wants on political, social, economic and other matters – forgetting that (as I Corinthians 13:9 states) my knowledge of God’s will is only partial. It can be tempting to read the Scriptures as an exercise in gaining information to be used as a type of ammunition against people on “the other side,” all the while forgetting that we received the Word not to brandish as a weapon but as a blessing to bring all people into closer relationship with God. It can be tempting to invoke Jesus as we condemn others, forgetting that Jesus came not to condemn but to save (John 3:16-17) and that God desires that everyone should be saved (I Timothy 2:4). It can be easy to assume that others should be more like me and want what I want – the types of music I like in worship, the political views and parties I support, etc., etc. – forgetting that Christ (not me) is the one we should emulate.

Loving God, clear our hearts so that we may truly see ourselves, and so that we may better see the people you want us to love and serve. Let us extend your mercy and grace to others, as we remember that we repeatedly receive mercy and grace from you. Help us come alongside ones who are suffering and pain. You have told us not to judge. Help us to do that. You have told us to forgive. Help us to do that. You have called us to love. Let your love flow out from us so that you are glorified in all that we say and do.