Episode Details

The Lord tell us in today's gospel His beef against the Pharisees and scribes or lawyers. They were meticulous about fulfilling the regulations they themselves imposed but neglected to fulfill the main law mandated by Moses. They added those little requirements with the hope that taking care of them, they would not neglect the weightier law of Moses. For instance, the Lord mentions in the gospel their extreme care in paying tithes of mint and rue and other garden herbs but they “overlook justice and the love of God!” In addition, they burdened the common man with burdens, but they themselves do not fulfill them. The implication is that they should lead by example, even when no one checks on them. Of course, they are visible to God's eyes. There is no escaping them.