Don't Follow the "Leader": A Lesson in Hypocrisy and Salvation

During times of chaos and uncertainty we all must find our own personal anchor to windward. What is the force that keeps you from spiraling into the abyss and being dragged down by the forces of evil that are seemingly everywhere? It is difficult to look at what is happening in the world around us and not feel a sense of anger, confusion, and loss. What is our anchor to windward? For many of us it is our family and friends. What has made the last several years so uniquely difficult is that, in many cases, our family and friends have been divided across some ideological line and the anger and division has eroded our traditional sanctuaries. For others of us, we find our anchor in the words of the Bible. This Sunday’s gospel serves as a powerful reminder of where our focus needs to be during times like these. Matthew 23 says:

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

File Photo

This scripture reminds us of two important ideas. First, our “leaders” are human and bring with them all forms of human failure and sin. They often do not practice what they preach, and we should not follow them blindly. Secondly, we are all responsible and accountable for our own actions. Core principles of kindness, courage, honor, truth and justice seem to be eroding all around us. But we do not need to participate in that downward spiral. We can choose to be kind. We can choose truth. We can choose courage to maintain these principles even when the world around us insists we abandon them. This is the part we can all play to right the ship.

Those who humble themselves will be exalted. As we enter an important election week we hope our elected “leaders” find the courage and wisdom to follow these words. But when they inevitably do not, we must all have the courage and wisdom to not follow them down that path.