FAITHteen | Issue #2

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From Bishop Mengeling

The Real Word:
Are you obsessed with success?
What are you really after?
Scriptural Reflection on Matthew 23:1-12

Do you know people who only do good so others see how good they are? Are you like that?

There are many, many things for teens to do these days. Sports teams, music, theater, church groups, academic clubs - and the list goes on. Being active in some of these things tends to bring a great deal of prestige to a person. The captain of a sports team or the lead in a school play can end up getting a lot of attention. That attention is often viewed as one of the rewards for doing an excellent job.

Jesus tells us "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 NAB)

Does this mean we cannot be in the limelight? No - it means we should not seek the limelight. We should not do things in order to be the center of attention. If our accomplishments and deeds put us in the public eye, we can humbly accept the praise then go back to toiling towards our goal.

For the ultimate reward we seek is not fame and fortune - it is heaven.

Do you know someone who says one thing yet does another? Are there Pharisees among your family or friends?

In spite of what Andy Warhol said, not everyone will have their 15 minutes in the sun. Some people will go about their lives and never find themselves in the public eye. Yet virtually everyone craves some sort of recognition from time to time.

But Jesus tells us not to toot our own horn. He says that we should not follow the example of the Pharisees whose "works are performed to be seen." (Matthew 23:12 NAB)

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a sound? If a good deed goes unseen, is it still a good deed? The answer to both questions is yes.

Sound is a wave. The falling tree creates sound waves whether someone is there or not.
A good deed is a good, kind, or worthwhile action. Recognition of the action does not make it "good." It is good on its own merits. (Besides, God sees all, so nothing every truly goes unseen.)

We should do good things simply for the sake of doing them - not to make ourselves look good. We shouldn't brag, gloat, boast, or sing our own praises. We should recognize and acknowledge the good things that others do, and sing the Lord's praises - then quietly go back to serving others and being an unsung hero for Christ.

In Jesus' time, the Pharisees were the leaders of the Church in Israel. Because of the readings that we are accustomed to hearing throughout the year, including the Gospel for today, it is easy to assume that all Pharisees were bad, power-hungry men who had no regard for anyone but themselves.

This, of course, is not true - yet Jesus focused a great deal of attention on these men. In fact, he often held them up as an example of what not to do. Jesus told the people, "Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice." (Matthew 23:3 NAB)

As teenagers, you run into this all the time. Adults tell you not to do something, then they go and do it themselves. "Wear your seat belt." "Don't talk back to your teacher (boss)." "Don't smoke." "Never drink and drive." "Don't raise your voice… use that tone ... give me that look ... " You get the idea.

But does the fact that your father tells you not to smoke while he's puffing on a Marlboro make it okay for you to smoke? Of course not. Granted, the message would be a lot more credible if your father quit the cancer sticks, but the message is a good one nonetheless.

Not all people in authority will be good leaders, but that doesn't mean we can ignore their message. Not all teachers will have good study habits, not all bosses will come to work on time, and not all priests will be kind and caring. But if they have a good message - if they preach what is proper - then it is our responsibility to lead by example. It is our responsibility to do what's right.

What makes a good leader? Do you bring out the best in people?

"Leadership" is a word we hear often. And it is a quality that colleges and prospective employers look for in students. But what does it really mean? Does having a title - and the authority to go along with it - actually make a person a leader? The answer is no.

A person can lead the group from within the ranks of the group, by not only what they say, but also what they do - because leadership is about humble service to others. A true leader will make sacrifices for the people being lead, and will not do things for personal recognition or gain. The fact of the matter is this: the best leaders don't even have to be the person "in charge."

Life Applications:
What activities and organizations are you involved in? How are you a leader?
Think about someone you feel is a good leader. What makes them good?
What can you do to be a better leader?

By Brandon Jubar