THE  7  WOES 

OF  JESUS  CONTINUED 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my reflection for this 21^st Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “The 7 Woes of Jesus Continued.”

Yesterday we heard the first 3 of the 7 Woes of Jesus – as they are stated in the Gospel of Matthew 23. Today we heard 2 more and we’ll get the last 2 tomorrow.

We’re more familiar with the 8 Beatitudes in Matthew. We know the 7 Corporal  and the 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy. They are not found in the gospels as  is. They have been lined up as good catechism – based on biblical texts. [1]

GOOD STUFF – BUT NOT ENOUGH GRAB

The 7 Woes here in Matthew – are good stuff – but in my opinion they are a bit clumsy for memorization and catechism.

For starters, I don’t think the word “Woe!” has enough grab and common usage.

The Greek word used is, “Ouai!”  It seems that English translators use the phrase, “Woe!” for “Ouai.” It’s an interjection or a shout out.

So “Woe” works.

However, last night I was trying to come up with a different word or expression than, “Woe!” For starters, I came up with these first draft nominations: “Shame, shame on you when ….” Or “Stop it when ….”  Or “No, no!” or “Whoa!”

7 WOES - SHORTENED VERSIONS

Using the words, “Shame, shame on you when you …” to begin each woe, here is my attempt to make the 7 woes more manageable and understandable. I want to stress this is a first attempt. This is what I am doing with the 7 woes this year – when this gospel came around.

Here they are in the order they are in the Gospel readings for these 3 days:

1.    Shame, shame on you – when you shut the door to the kingdom in people’s faces – and in the meanwhile you’re not getting into the kingdom of heaven yourselves.

2.    Shame, shame on you – when you search everywhere to make one convert and then you make that person twice a child of hell as yourselves.

3.    Shame, shame on you – when you swear on gold or altars or holy places on everything but God.

4.    Shame, shame on you – when you pay attention to the iddy biddy details of the law and neglect the heavy-duty matters of the Law – like justice, mercy and good faith.

5.    Shame, shame on you when you clean the outside of cups and dishes – but you leave the inside filthy and dirty.

6.    Shame, shame on you when you try to look like the upside of cemeteries -  beautiful white washed tombs – but underneath you really only dead bones.

7.    Shame, shame on you – when you’re snakes in the crass –talking about if you were around when the greats of the past were around – you too would be saints – but in the meanwhile right now you’re criticizing and verbally abusing the good people in our midst.

THE TWO FOR TODAY

The two woes – the two warnings – for today are basic. So once more here are the two woes – the two warnings – as heard in today’s gospel:

“Woe for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law-justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practiced, those not neglected. You blind guides, straining out gnats and swallowing camels!”

“Woe  for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.”

CONCLUSION: IN OTHER WORDS

When it comes to trying to be a  follower of Christ – look in the mirror – look in your own eye – check out your own behavior. Look Jesus in the eye.  

Instead of being like the Pharisees and the scribes who were doing the tiny, tiny – to avoid the biggy bigs: mercy, forgiveness, justice, fairness, kindness,  go within. Spend your energy there instead your own eye - inside your inner room - with Christ - instead of criticizing everyone else but yourself.

O  O  O  O  O  O  O

NOTE

[1] I could not find in the Documents of Vatican II – and also the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church – the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and the 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy – per se.  Different popes like John Paul II in Dives in Misericordia [Rich in Mercy - 1980] and Pius X in Fermo Proposito [On Catholic Action in Italy to the Bishops of Italy p. 1905] mention them specifically.

I couldn't find specific dates for their origins. I did read about manuscripts as far back as 12th century listing works of mercy. Then there were wall paintings with the works of mercy on them from the 14th century. 

I noticed that 7's are important - as in the 7 Deadly sins and the 7 Works of Mercy. They were a good positive and negative examination of conscience for for folks. 

There were wheels with 7 spokes and on the 7 spokes there were lists of 7 this and 7 that.  There was also the Tree of Sin and the Tree of Life - one listing the 7 Deadly Sins and the other the Seven Works of Mercy.

Tree of Vices [above]

Tree of Virtues [Above]

Here is the usual listing of  the 7 Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy:

The Corporal Works of Mercy:

·        Feed the hungry

·        Give drink to the thirsty

·        Clothe the naked

·        Shelter the homeless

·        Visit the sick

·        Visit the imprisoned

·        Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy:

·        Admonish the sinner

·        Instruct the ignorant

·        Counsel the doubtful

·        Comfort the sorrowful

·        Bear wrongs patiently

·        Forgive all injuries

·        Pray for the living and the dead

The Methodist Church lists 5 Works of Mercy:

·       Doing Good,

·       Visiting the Sick and Prisoners

·       Feeding and Clothing People

·       Earning, Saving, Giving All One Can

·       Opposition to Slavery.

 Check out Matthew 25: 34-46 for the first 6 corporal works of mercy according to Catholic theology.