GOD'S WORD IS LIVING AND EFFECTIVE
We always need to ask this
question: Do we know God? Do we know
ourselves?
In the Gospel of Luke, today, Jesus is sharing
a meal and having fellowship at table with a Pharisee who is quick to notice
that Jesus does not observe the necessary washings before meal. Jesus uses this
situation to talk about external versus internal dispositions. Jesus states
that the Pharisees focus is only on washing the outside while totally ignoring
how unclean the inside remains. What He's really saying is that what matters is
what goes on within each person. There should be no dichotomy between our
internal and external dispositions. God doesn't want us to put on an act but,
rather, to be real.
It is important to notice that Jesus does not
say external ritual observances are useless or unimportant and not to be
practiced. He says that for it to be authentic it must mirror what is going on
within our hearts. If we say one thing but then our actions say another then,
in the words of Jesus Himself, we are nothing more than "fools."
We always need to ask this question: Do we
know God? Do we know ourselves?
St. Paul lays down a challenge for us today
when he says, "Although they knew God they did not accord Him glory as
God." 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."
May heaven and earth proclaim the glory of
God!