INNER PURITY: THE JOURNEY TO AUTHENTIC HOLINESS (Meditation on Luke 11:37-41 ).

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Scripture

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you." (Luke 11:37-41, NIV)

The True Essence of Holiness.

In our Christian journey, we can easily get caught up in the appearance of holiness, much like the Pharisees who were meticulous about external rituals and purity. They were so concerned with the external practices that they missed the essence of a true, heartfelt relationship with God and love of others.

Jesus’ words today are a stark reminder that what’s on the inside of our heart that matters most. We can become so concerned with how others perceive us, so obsessed with portraying an image of perfection, that we neglect the state of our hearts, our interior life which corresponds to our spiritual life. But God, who sees all, knows our deepest desires, our fears, and our intentions.

Inward Purity and Outward Generosity.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to remember that we are loved, not because of how well we keep up our appearances, how flawless we are, but because of who we are: beloved children of God. The same God who intricately designed every part of us cares deeply about our innermost being. Jesus' call here is very clear: he wants us to always prioritize the internal, the heart. True purity begins from within. This is the reason why the beatitude says: “Blessed are the pure in spirit(heart) for they shall see God”, (Matthew 5:8). This is one of the core teachings of Jesus in Mark 7, 14-23: “There is nothing outside of a person that by going into him render him impure, but the things that come of a person are what renders him impure”. And Jesus went on to enumerate them.  

 Jesus gives us a profound prescription to overcome the temptation of inner impurity: “be generous and kind, especially to the poor, the marginalized, the needy, etc.” Generosity is an outflow of a pure heart. It obliges us to think less about ourselves, and remember others in need. By giving to those in need, by helping others, we are reflecting the nature of Christ, who gave Himself for us. In this way, we become "another Christ" for the society. Through acts of generosity, we not only bless others but also cultivate a heart that is in tune with God’s own heart, a heart that moves from self-centeredness to openness and genuine compassion for others. True compassion means allowing ourselves to be touched by the need of others and then moving beyond mere feelings to take concrete actions, no matter how small they might be. 

Today, let us not just focus on the outward, but pay more attention to what happens or is happening in our hearts. Let's examine our motives, desires, and intentions. We can start with a small act of generosity. It could be donating to a charity, helping out a neighbour, or even offering a word of encouragement to someone in need. Through these acts, we cleanse our hearts and draw closer to the heart of God and at the same time allow the temple of God in us to shine.

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to prioritize the state of our hearts over our outward appearances. Forgive us when we get caught up in trying to appear instead of being, rather than truly living out our faith from the inside out. Fill us with a spirit of generosity, that we may reflect Your love to those around us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

 


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