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Thought for the Week

Clifton College's Chaplain, Kim Taplin, brings us his 'Thought for the Week'

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Hypocrisy

The word hypocrite comes from a Greek word meaning 'actor'. In ancient Greek theatre, the male actors would wear masks made of linen, wood or cork. These masks enabled the two or three leading performers to play multiple roles, including those of women.

Jesus of Nazareth berated the Pharisees and accused them of being hypocrites. (St Matthew 23) It was not that they were insincere or lacking in piety, it was just that they demanded perfection of others in keeping the Law, whilst in their own actions they failed to live up to such elevated standards. They were guilty of saying one thing and doing another. Their religion was play-acting.

Is my faith centre stage on Sunday and backstage during the week? Am I as committed a Christian in my place of study or work as I am in my church?

We must all be on our guard against the modern spectre of the Pharisee...it is always reluctant to leave the religious stage.

22 June 2009

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