Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 2nd week of Lent, March 18, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 1: 10.16-20; Rs psalm 50: 8-9.16bc-17.21.23; Matthew 23: 1-12BECREDIBLE Ourmeditation today has the theme: Be Credible. In general, we understand thatcredibility means trustworthiness. This has to do with humans or impersonal thingssuch as institutions, wisdom, decisions, choices and beliefs. Credibility isbasically a virtue that is needed if we are responsible and have convictiontoward others about what we say and do. The expected result would be that we orsomething can be trusted. This means that one or something is credible. Whatare the signs of credible people? Today the Lord Jesus teaches us onefundamental characteristic of the virtue of credibility. He uses the profilesof the Pharisees and the scribes as His example. They are good at talking andseem so convincing with their thoughts and arguments. But their obvious faultis that they don't do what they say. Credibility really demands that thereshould be a proportional connection between what is said or discussed with whatis done. Words and actions are in line. Theory is expressed in practice. Credibilitycan stand straight and be useful if its both feet are in function, namely wordsand deeds. Those who were criticized by Jesus only stood on one foot, whichwere their words. Their deeds were just zero. They were actually crippled. SoJesus' advice is this: just listen and follow what they say, because it hasvaluable advice and wisdom. But never follow their actions. Words and thoughtsor concepts are easier to be made because they do not require much sacrifices.Especially when the aim is to attract, influence, and a way of promotion, wordscan be arranged in an orderly fashion, nice to people's hearing, and as a powerto move feelings and sentiments. But this is still incomplete. It is stilllimping. Deedsand actions that have moral influence, faith principles, and human universalvalues, have their higher quality of credibility compared to ordinary actionssuch as walking, eating or drinking. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes the acts ofjustice and compassion. If people only speak, theorize, promise, and discussabout creating justice and the importance of compassion, then without doingjustice and showing compassion to others, their credibility in faith and moralstandards are questionable. They may feel so confident to talk and explainthings, but they are degrading their quality as human beings because they arenot credible. Ifthis meditation encourages us to be credible, it means that we who haveresponsibilities to take care of others in the fields of teaching, nurturing,guidance and accompaniment, we should make credibility as a means for ourconsecration and service for humanity.Let's pray. In thename of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, teach us to be trustworthy in our wordsand deeds. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In thename of the Father ...