A time of Lexio devena for the discerning heart.

Tuesday in the second week of Lent.

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

For the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of the stay to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart, Jesus, I trust in you. You take over.

Become aware that he is with you,

looking upon you with love,

wanting to be heard deep within your heart.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 23 verses 1 through 12.

Addressing the people and his disciples, Jesus said,

The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses.

You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say,

but do not be guided by what they do,

since they do not practice what they preach.

They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders.

But will they lift a finger to move them?

Not they.

Everything they do is done to attract attention,

like wearing broader phallacteries and longer tassels,

like wanting to take the place of honor at banquets

and the front seats in synagogues,

being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them rabbi.

You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called rabbi,

...