Did you forget something?

Stay humble. Stay focus.

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 [b]saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens[c] [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 [d]All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 [e]They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 [f]As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.-Matthew23:1-12

This is true, very true. This warning of Jesus against the yeast of hypocrisy is not only for the Pharisees of His time, but also for the present religious, government, community, social and world leaders. A true leader is well-meaning and originally is selfless. However, along the way something happens where the leaders must make a decision about where they want to be. Do they want to be the leader of the people, selfless, dedicated, serving? Or, do they want to be a leader for life, living in a life of luxury, always respected, always honored, willing to take the crooked path for ambition? Sad to say, many go in the second category. Salt has lost its saltiness. Leaders lost the very essence why they are in their position, who they are, and what they are supposed to do.

I remember a story (forgive me if I cannot remember the exact location and details). There is a part of the coasts where shipwrecks are frequent. Some people decided to put up a first-aid camp to help the victims of shipwrecks. Then they decided to make the first-aid camp bigger and better by putting in beds, refreshments and lounging areas for the people. Later still, they decided to make the camp into a clubhouse. Then, no more first-aids, no more 'save the people', no more 'care for the people.' One of the original founders broke from this and decided to put up a first-aid camp to save the shipwrecked victims just like before. Along with some other people, it was a success because they are helping and doing what they really want to do - to care, to give shelter. Then they decided to make the first-aid camp bigger and better by putting in beds, refreshments and lounging areas for the people. Later still, they decided to make the camp into a clubhouse. Then, no more first-aids, no more 'save the people', no more 'care for the people.' Jesus is inviting us to be very careful against the yeast of hypocrisy, of ambition, of losing our 'saltiness,' above all, of losing our purpose. He is calling us to live in humility.

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