IN writing this column, I wish to
make the caveat that the
topic is meant to clarify matters and to warn us of certain dangers
that we may not be aware of. It’s not to condemn anyone or any group,
but simply to point out that there are occasions when we think we are
doing right when in fact we are doing wrong in the eyes of God.
It’s also meant to figure out how we can identify and
avoid these dangers, and what we can do to correct and make up if we
have fallen into them.
Pharisaism, as the dictionary puts it, refers to the
doctrines and practices of many of the Pharisees during the time of
Christ. They were almost invincibly convinced they were always right,
basing that conviction simply on their traditions and their own
interpretations of God’s laws.
When Christ finally came, they could not believe he was
the Messiah since Christ did not jibe with their expectations as based
on their own estimation of things. In fact, they were suspicious of
him, always finding fault in him and finally managed to crucify him.
To be sure, not all Pharisees were like that. We can cite
the example of Nicodemus who went to see Christ by night to ask for
some clarifications and who helped bury Christ’s body. There must have
been others like Nicodemus.
And so, we have to refrain from making blanket accusations
against all Pharisees. By pharisaism, we simply refer to certain
portions of the Pharisees who had the wrong attitude toward Christ and
the things of God.
Their error was in the too literal interpretation of the
religious and moral laws without due regard to the spirit of the laws.
Such interpretation led them unavoidably to fall into hypocrisy, since
the reality even of their own lives cannot cope with the very
restrictive view of what they considered as right and wrong, good and
evil.
In other words, they themselves could not keep up with their own
standards, and yet made a show that they were all right. They would
hardly admit their own mistakes and sinfulness. Such was the case that
at one point Christ told the people that these leading men did not
practice what they preached.
In other instances, Christ pointed out the contradictions and
inconsistencies between their words and behavior, their observances
and the all-too-obvious realities of life, like the question of the
Sabbath day observance.
The justice of pharisaism has no room for mercy. Its mind-frame and
lifestyle is prone to knee-jerk reactions, rash judgments and
reckless, lynching condemnations, that precisely runs counter to the
ways of God who is slow to anger and quick to forgive.
Its ways are often hardened along patterns of rigorism, legalism,
traditionalism, fundamentalism. They have forms and structures but
without the appropriate substance and spirit.
Pharisaism drips with sanctimoniousness and self-righteousness, a
funny caricature of authentic holiness. It is an ugly bag of all
violations of charity, often disguised as defense of justice and human
rights.
It is a collection of false reasons and rationalizations not based on
faith, hope and charity. It’s more interested in pursuing one’s
self-interest than in a genuine concern for the common good, and much
less, in giving glory to God. It thrives in an environment of gossips,
rumor-mongering and mob rule.
We have to be most wary of the dangers of pharisaism that can come to
us anytime and in very subtle ways. When in our pursuit for truth,
justice and beauty, we become judgmental and rigid, less patient,
understanding and merciful towards others, we can be sure we are
falling into the hands of a new pharisaism.
When in our legitimate pursuit for greater knowledge, power and fame,
we do not make the corresponding conversions of heart and are
unwilling to suffer for others, this new pharisaism is setting in.
This new pharisaism usually leads one along the paths of conceit and
self-satisfaction. It makes one simplistic in his views, ignoring the
many legitimate nuances of the situations of people. The worst cut is
that it deadens one’s sensitivity to have another conversion.
When progress in any aspect of our life is not accompanied by a growth
in humility, openness and tolerance towards those of different views
and opinions, when we cannot see our own faults and defects and yet
are quick to see those of others, then we have basis to think we are
in the grip of this new pharisaism.
But there’s always hope. God’s grace can strike us
strongly anytime. We just have to pray!
that we may not be aware of. It’s not to condemn anyone or any group,
but simply to point out that there are occasions when we think we are
doing right when in fact we are doing wrong in the eyes of God.
It’s also meant to figure out how we can identify and
avoid these dangers, and what we can do to correct and make up if we
have fallen into them.
Pharisaism, as the dictionary puts it, refers to the
doctrines and practices of many of the Pharisees during the time of
Christ. They were almost invincibly convinced they were always right,
basing that conviction simply on their traditions and their own
interpretations of God’s laws.
When Christ finally came, they could not believe he was
the Messiah since Christ did not jibe with their expectations as based
on their own estimation of things. In fact, they were suspicious of
him, always finding fault in him and finally managed to crucify him.
To be sure, not all Pharisees were like that. We can cite
the example of Nicodemus who went to see Christ by night to ask for
some clarifications and who helped bury Christ’s body. There must have
been others like Nicodemus.
And so, we have to refrain from making blanket accusations
against all Pharisees. By pharisaism, we simply refer to certain
portions of the Pharisees who had the wrong attitude toward Christ and
the things of God.
Their error was in the too literal interpretation of the
religious and moral laws without due regard to the spirit of the laws.
Such interpretation led them unavoidably to fall into hypocrisy, since
the reality even of their own lives cannot cope with the very
restrictive view of what they considered as right and wrong, good and
evil.
In other words, they themselves could not keep up with their own
standards, and yet made a show that they were all right. They would
hardly admit their own mistakes and sinfulness. Such was the case that
at one point Christ told the people that these leading men did not
practice what they preached.
In other instances, Christ pointed out the contradictions and
inconsistencies between their words and behavior, their observances
and the all-too-obvious realities of life, like the question of the
Sabbath day observance.
The justice of pharisaism has no room for mercy. Its mind-frame and
lifestyle is prone to knee-jerk reactions, rash judgments and
reckless, lynching condemnations, that precisely runs counter to the
ways of God who is slow to anger and quick to forgive.
Its ways are often hardened along patterns of rigorism, legalism,
traditionalism, fundamentalism. They have forms and structures but
without the appropriate substance and spirit.
Pharisaism drips with sanctimoniousness and self-righteousness, a
funny caricature of authentic holiness. It is an ugly bag of all
violations of charity, often disguised as defense of justice and human
rights.
It is a collection of false reasons and rationalizations not based on
faith, hope and charity. It’s more interested in pursuing one’s
self-interest than in a genuine concern for the common good, and much
less, in giving glory to God. It thrives in an environment of gossips,
rumor-mongering and mob rule.
We have to be most wary of the dangers of pharisaism that can come to
us anytime and in very subtle ways. When in our pursuit for truth,
justice and beauty, we become judgmental and rigid, less patient,
understanding and merciful towards others, we can be sure we are
falling into the hands of a new pharisaism.
When in our legitimate pursuit for greater knowledge, power and fame,
we do not make the corresponding conversions of heart and are
unwilling to suffer for others, this new pharisaism is setting in.
This new pharisaism usually leads one along the paths of conceit and
self-satisfaction. It makes one simplistic in his views, ignoring the
many legitimate nuances of the situations of people. The worst cut is
that it deadens one’s sensitivity to have another conversion.
When progress in any aspect of our life is not accompanied by a growth
in humility, openness and tolerance towards those of different views
and opinions, when we cannot see our own faults and defects and yet
are quick to see those of others, then we have basis to think we are
in the grip of this new pharisaism.
But there’s always hope. God’s grace can strike us
strongly anytime. We just have to pray!
No comments:
Post a Comment