love your pharisees
"The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Him." —Mark 8:11
After Jesus had twice multiplied the loaves and fish, the Pharisees sought a sign from Him (Mk 8:11). Jesus was exasperated (Mk 8:12) and warned His apostles to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees (Mk 8:15), which was hypocrisy (Lk 12:1). Jesus told the crowds to respect and obey the Pharisees but not to follow their example (Mt 23:3), for they were "blind fools" and "blind guides" (Mt 23:17, 24). The Pharisees plotted against Jesus "to find a way to destroy Him" (Mt 12:14).
Nicodemus was one of the most prominent Pharisees (see Jn 3:1). After Jesus' death, he came to prepare Jesus' body for burial (Jn 19:39). In this way, Nicodemus publicly acknowledged that he was a disciple of Jesus. Nicodemus may also have represented other Pharisees who repented and came to Jesus.
Who are the Pharisees in your life? Who are the people who exasperate, hurt, and plot against you? In love, lay down your life for your Pharisees, as Jesus laid down His life for His Pharisees. Some Pharisees change, especially when we forgive and love them.
Prayer: Father, on this St. Valentine's Day, may I accept Your grace to love my enemies.
Promise: "If any of you is without wisdom, let him ask it from the God Who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all, and it will be given him." —Jas 1:5
Praise: Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who were brothers, successfully evangelized Moravia, Bohemia, and present-day Bulgaria. They persevered in their mission to Moravia despite repeated persecution from the missionaries who had failed before them.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, July 28, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 1999