My brothers and sisters in Christ do you believe that we have a problem with "Pharisees" among us?

The Pharisees haven't been around for almost 2000 years. I doubt that there are any "Pharisees among us."

First - here's the most comprehensive definition of "Pharisee" I could find (link below)

Definitions of pharisee on the Web:

a self-righteous or sanctimonious person

a member of an ancient Jewish sect noted for strict obedience to Jewish traditions

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

The word Pharisees comes from the Hebrew פרושים prushim from פרוש parush, meaning "separated", that is, one who is separated for a life of purity. ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharisee

A member of a political party, a social movement, and a school of thought among Jews that flourished during the Second Temple Era (536 BCE–70 CE). ...

en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Pharisee

A religious leader of the Jews at the time of Jesus.

re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/cupboard/exam/examsupp/dloads/cp/cp35.htm

"The separate people", a Jewish religious group who strictly followed religious laws and customs.

www.godonthe.net/dictionary/p.html

Refers to Jews in the New Testament era who were dedicated to strict letter-of-the-law righteousness.

www.godswordforyou.com/glossary/glossary/p.html

The two that stick out for me are:

a self righteous person

one who is separated for a life of purity

Now THERE'S a contrast!

This is a great question, especially your comment about being cautious yourself. I am on the watch as well.

As Catholics - we Love the Lord and as conservsative orthodox Catholics, we strive to be obedient to the church. It's easy to fall into the "know it all" or "judging" catagories.

This is why it is so important to me that I pray always when confronted with situations where I feel I'm called to witness. The last thing I want to do is turn someone away from the truth using the Truth... so I ask the Holy Spirit to use me as He will, and I try not to judge people. I once was lost but now am found, too.... so I never forget who I was when I paid no attention to Christ or faith.

I guess I could go on forever on this topic - so I'll close by saying that sometimes, when actions and words just don't seem to do the job in witnessing... we are simply called to pray for the soul or situation.

Peace and blessings,

Chris <><

There are more Pharisees indeed! People don't like the independent interpretations coming about...the world is scary and chaotic and I think some folks really need their religion to be stable. Personally, I find the creativity to be more like living faith for me, but I understand the Pharisaical reaction to it.

(It's also true, of course, that there are more people now, AND that the writers of the Gospels only used some examples to make their point, so there may have been many more than were illustrated in the Bible stories.)

Deb: Do you mean that "holier-than-thou" , I'm superior to you so, you should be just like me - attitude? Self-righteousness stems from legalism and this legalistic approach to God renders Christ's grace impotent ! It is very difficult to remain superior in such a mediocre world !!!

On a even, more serious note. These "Pharisees" you mentioned fail to grasp the significance of Christ's sacrifice and haven't really experienced repentance - as God would have it ! This is what's lacking !

Some of the most scathing words spoken by Jesus, were directed not at those who were trapped in various sins,but rather to those,who were supposedly of God's household. Pharisees,Scribes and hypocrits....

I think that we all need to consistently examine our own hearts,in light of the teachings of Jesus,in particular....Do we have the hearts of a servant? Do we honestly, consider others to be of more importance than ourselves,are we condemning of others that are trapped in the same things,that we ourselves struggle with? Do we give,to be seen of men?

I doubt seriously than any of us have graduated past any semblence of a Pharisitical heart. Ouch!

(((Debrakins)))

Yes Debra, I do. Many of us have forgotten to be Christian means to strive to be "Christ like". Like the Pharisees, some believe our religious observances are the only correct way to worship.

Some of our religious leaders and church members are filled with hypocrisy, spiritual blindness, greed and wickedness.

In my opinion, we must get back to the basic teachings of Christ. To love one another as He loves us. To judge not lest we be judged. Lend helping hands to the poor, forgotten and downtrodden.

(((Debra)))

just stay away from them. Remember how Christ got angry at the moneychangers in his Temple? I only give what I can afford. They were hypocrites of God and Jesus was there to defend us. Just tell that you don't need that and you and your daughter don't deseve that either. Remember Christ's own men ran off and the women defended him. You can love God in private and don't be bullied by a church that uses God's Name to harm you. Paul was a tax collector and repented so don't be bullied. God Bless you and the love of God is there.

((Debra))

Yes, I know, and they come in all forms too. They are the bane of life and will probably always be there in one way or another until they realize who the truth is. Self examination of conscience is good, to ensure that you do not become like them.

Blessings to you

Allecat

yes I agree all those who put tradition above Jesus . that is what he complained about while on earth.

Matthew 15:5-7 (New International Version)

5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

No - the problem is some of us Christians using our faith to condemn and judge other people because of their lifestyles and beliefs. If you want to work on 'converting' people - look to our brothers and sisters in Christ - especially on here - and talk to them for not showing honor to God and betraying their own faith.