"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation. (Matthew 23:14)
Thoughts: Most manuscripts leave out verse 14. Yet it is found similarly to Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47: ("they devour widow's houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished more severely"). So it was a saying of Jesus that makes sense in this place.
"They devour widow's houses" this means they take advantage of the needy to advance themselves financially. Their greed possessed them more than their compassion. All of us are called to give up greed and instead be generous toward those in need.
"And for a pretense you make long prayers." It is hard to mess up praying. Many feel uncomfortable praying. But the only real requirement of Jesus is that it be talking to God FROM THE HEART- AND NOT JUST FOR SHOW.
True religion takes the focus off of us and puts it on God and others. But these scribes and Pharisees (teachers of the Law) found a way to manipulate religion to still focus on themselves. In our day this happens with a different twist. We believe in God only for what God can do for us. The focus therefore is not on God- but on what God can do for us. This shows clearly when we are disappointed with something that happens in our lives and we blame God. It is not about us.
Prayer: Lord, let my life's attention and focus be on you. You alone are worthy of worship, praise, time, and all that I am.
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