Luke 11:37-41

Galatians 5:1-6

Psalm 119:41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48

Luke 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken,

a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.

He entered and reclined at table to eat.

The Pharisee was amazed to see

that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.

The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!

Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,

inside you are filled with plunder and evil.

You fools!

Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?

But as to what is within, give alms,

and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, do not let me follow the way of foolishness that leads to death and separation from you. Do not let me be a hypocrite. I pray that I may grow in true holiness through the gift of your grace and truly serve my brothers and sisters in need.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Tradition of Washing Before a Meal: On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus accepted the invitation of a Pharisee to dine at his home. The Pharisee, Luke tells us, was amazed that Jesus did not observe the prescribed washing before a meal. This washing was not something commanded in the Law of Moses but was a tradition that was observed by the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. What the Law of Moses actually prescribed was that priests needed to wash their hands and feet before offering a sacrifice (Exodus 30:17-21). The priests also needed to wash before eating their share of the sacrifice (Numbers 18:11-13). These rules for the priests, however, were extended to all meals by the tradition of the Pharisees, who wanted every meal to be a religious act and a symbol of Jewish identity.

2. Clean Outside and Dirty Inside: Jesus takes the opportunity to reveal the foolishness of the Pharisees. They were meticulous in observing their traditions, but their hearts were far from God. They cleaned the exterior of their dishes and cups, but interiorly, they were filled with evil. Jesus teaches that, instead of being filled with plunder and unrighteous wealth, the Pharisees ought to be detached from earthly treasure, give alms to the poor, and be clean interiorly. All three things are important. It is good to give alms and follow God’s precepts, but only when we are filled and empowered with God’s grace and virtue are those good actions meritorious for salvation and eternal life.

3. Faith Working through Love: In the Letter to the Galatians, Paul compares the Old Law of Moses to a yoke of slavery. This slavery is opposed to the freedom that comes from faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout his letter, Paul argued that accepting the yoke of the Law of Moses as a requirement for salvation is to reject Christ as the sole foundation of our redemption and spiritual life (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 339). Paul also teaches that faith alone is insufficient to justify the sinner. Our faith in Jesus Christ needs to work through and flourish in grace-empowered works of charity and love. If our faith does not manifest itself and bear fruit in merciful love, then it is a dead faith that cannot justify or save us or keep us in a right relationship with God.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your grace and the virtues of faith, hope, and charity enable me to do the good works that merit eternal life with you. Give me your grace always. Do not let me become wrapped up in myself or glory in what I have accomplished, but refer all to you and your Father in gratitude.

Living the Word of God: Is my Christian faith flourishing in works of love? Looking back over the past week, what are the works of love, service, and mercy I did, empowered by God’s grace? Looking to the week ahead, who are the individual people I will encounter, and how can I serve each of them in love?