GOD'S WORD IS LIVING AND EFFECTIVE
Do you know God? Do you know yourself?
In the Gospel of
Luke today, Jesus is sharing a meal and fellowship at table with a Pharisee.
This Pharisee is quick to notice that Jesus does not observe the necessary
washings before the meal. Jesus uses this situation to talk about external
versus internal disposition. Jesus brings to notice that the Pharisees focus
only on washing the outside but totally ignore how unclean the inside remains.
Jesus is saying is that what matters is what goes on within each person. There
should be not be the dichotomy of a hypocrisy when one hides a sinful
disposition under the mere pretense of an external expression of piety. God
doesn't want us to put on an act or a show but to be real. It is important to
notice that Jesus does not say external ritual observance is useless,
unimportant or unnecessary. He says that for it to be authentic it must mirror
what is going on with our heart.
Points to Pray and Ponder: Do you know God? Do you know yourself?
St. Paul lays down
a challenge for us today. May we not be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power
of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. For the one who is righteous
by faith will live. Let us give over our life to God, and so we are made truly
clean inside and out!