Gospel in Art: Whoever exalts himself will be humbled

Pilgrims at the Moor, by Frans Van Leemputten, 1903-1905 © Koninklijk Museum voor Schoone Kunsten, Antwerp

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 3 March 2026
Matthew 23:1-12

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practise. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'

Reflection on the painting

In this morning's Gospel, Jesus dismantles any attempt to create hierarchies of superiority among his followers. He reminds them that there is one true Teacher and one true Master: himself. And only one Father in heaven who we all belong to. Whatever our roles within the Church (as volunteers, readers, bishops, seminarians, priests, cleaners, flower arrangers, etc...), we stand before God as brothers and sisters, as learners gathered at the same feet. There may be different responsibilities, different roles and different gifts (as Saint Paul beautifully describes the Church as one body with many members), yet diversity of service does not mean inequality of dignity. Before Christ, we are equal.

The prayer Jesus taught us, the Our Father, makes this clear. We all ask for daily bread. We all seek forgiveness. We all depend on God's help in times of trial. No one graduates from that dependence. It is precisely this humility that was lacking in some of the religious leaders whom Jesus criticises; those who sought honour, recognition, and the best seats. The Gospel gently but firmly calls us back to simplicity of heart. Whatever our ministry or title, we remain fellow pilgrims, walking side by side, learning together how to follow the Lord.

This is beautifully depicted in our painting by Frans Van Leemputten, depicting pilgrims walking across fields making their way to church. They are united in their journey, no hierarchy. The artist deliberately shows the figures from behind rather than revealing their faces. This artistic choice makes a visual statement about the nature of pilgrimage itself. By turning the figures away from us, Van Leemputten removes individual expression and personal identity from the foreground, and instead places all of the attention on the act of journeying. We do not see who these pilgrims are (their names, emotions or social status) we only see their activity: their joint pilgrimage. In this way, they become universal: every believer on the road, every seeker of God, every soul in pilgrimage.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-23-1-12-2026/