Pope Francis Daily

Do what is right and just!

There is always a question that keeps running in a contemplative mind: who is really going to harm you if you are eager to do what is right and just for the people. The most acceptable answer of this question is hypocrites who neither do what is right nor let others do who are trying. Saint Luke, the evangelist, narrates in chapter 13:31-35, about an incident where some Pharisees come and say to Lord Jesus, ‘you need to leave this place quickly because Herod- the king of Israel, is seeking to kill you.’ Now certainly, Pharisees are asking Jesus to leave the place not out of their concern for saving his life but in some way threatening Him that if you don’t move or stop your work we will kill you. They all the time objected to Jesus’ authority because He used to go through one town and village after another, doing his usual ministerial work which was healing the sick, preaching, teaching and reaching out to those who were in need. The Pharisees were one of the three groups- Priests, Pharisees and Scribes that made up the Israelite nation and they were the Lord’s own people- the people of the temple who literally had planned and handed over Jesus to kill Him.

Further, in Luke 13:32 onwards, Jesus replies to those Pharisees, “Go and tell that fox for me, listen, I am working today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.” Jesus openly called Herod ‘a fox’ and to Pharisees- hypocrites. All the same, Jesus hates hypocrisy because hypocrisy has destroyed everything that is of value, of principle, of ethics, and of morals. It has destroyed everything that makes up what a human being is supposed to be and how god intended for the human being to be. What has changed in hypocrites from the time of the lord Jesus until now is absolutely nothing. Even today in 21st Century, we also find similar mindset of Pretenders in every areas and come across plenty of Pharisees who are ready to advice, ‘be careful Jesus- don’t speak up, don’t question and don’t do good, don’t be people oriented but title oriented, don’t value human beings but maintain Sabbath day, don’t mind partiality but uphold reservations, don’t become voice of voiceless but administer your higher authority, otherwise, Herod- the fox is going to kill you.’ That is why even today we have hypocrites who pretend to be pious, virtuous, etc. without really being so.

Adjustment with inner convictions and compromising with clear conscience are two signs of such double standards of two-facedness obedience. I just would like to ask people having this mindset, when the fox comes and imposes certain rules or policies on you that are mere against your faith, your Christian belief and understanding, are you going to be adherent to such authority? We need to be obedient to God more than all. The lord Jesus without any reservation, without any limitations, without any fear, he said to those hypocrites go and tell that fox- do whatever you want and I will continue doing what is more acceptable in God’s sight. Lord Jesus referred to Herod as a fox because fox sleeps during the day and works during the night. In other words fox sleeps in the light and is alert in darkness. For darkness is nothing but disappearance, hypocrisy, lies, deceptions, poison and murder. What our Lord Jesus really intended to say is that I know his deeds as his deeds are like a fox way of administrating, working in darkness in the hiding way, hiding selfish, deceptive and sneaky agenda behind the scenes. There is no more transparency, there is no more simplicity, there is no clarity, rather, everything is a hidden agenda, and whenever you question something all of a sudden, they’re going to come out after you and shatter you. Due to this fear, what we have today is nothing but a bunch of hypocrites everywhere.

When we follow the example of Jesus of Nazareth, we turn to the light and encounter him as our Master and Saviour. Being followers of Jesus and as dear children of God, He pours out His love on us. His love makes us want to obey Him, love Him more, and love others more. Thus, Love becomes the base of doing what is right and just, which counts more to JESUS than doing religious practices. And, if you don’t do what you know is right and just, you have sinned. Due to this we must continue to make war with sin. Although we may hate sin and want to do the right thing we often fall short because of our sin nature. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow tired. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed for it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Therefore, do not fear what others fear; do not be frightened but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have or to everyone who alleged you maliciously against your good intentions in Christ. Prophets always proclaim, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Even though Psalmists write, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” Jesus always wants us to do what is right and just every day for people in His name. 

+ In Christ, 

Father Henry Peter MSFS,

Sacred Heart Church,

Bhusawal, Maharashtra, India.