Matthew 23:1-12 Practice what you preach.

"Do not follow their example for the preach, but do not practice." Jesus says in today's Gospel.  People can be such hypocrites.  The Pharisees and scribes are not exception.  We use the idiom, 'Practice what you preach.' Obviously we as a people in general don't like people who make themselves the exception to the rule. 

Jesus is really calling to be aware of our actions and words.  Perhaps it is good to put on a persona of greatness in some aspects of our lives for business, but you know what, Jesus is reminding to live in reality and remember that we're just human: we all put our pants on the same way, one leg at a time.

Luke 5: 27-32 Calling of Levi

for today's reading: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021316.cfm

In today's reading Jesus calls Levi and the other tax collectors to follow him.  Jesus is showing us that we can be called, every one of us, to follow him.  It doesn't matter if we are sinners or saints, the door to the Father's banquet is open to each of us.  It is the Father's love that calls us. 

The scribes and Pharisees are adherents to the law, but the laws have become and end to themselves.  Jesus is here to offer us a new covenant made the Father's love and through the Holy Spirit.  Are we ready to accept the Lord's invitation to follow him no matter what others may say or think about us?  Are we ready to have our eyes focused solely on him?  Are we ready to embrace the call to be saints who wear jeans, chew bubble gum, and drink soda and eat fries?  Everyone is called.