Take Off That Silly Mask

Matthew tells us how the Pharisees turned up their noses when they saw Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners. Whenever I hear this passage from the Gospels, I can’t help but picture the sneering Pharisees as wearing those Groucho Marx masks you can buy at the store – you know, the thick framed glasses with attached eyebrows, plastic nose, and bushy mustache? It’s not hard to find ourselves slipping on that goofy mask, from time-to-time when we turn up our nose at others.  But who are we kidding?