HARMONIOUS LIVING: EMBRACING ST PAUL’S EXHORTATION TODAY (ROMANS 12:5-16)

               

In Unity and Diversity: In todays first reading, St Paul invites us to see the Church as a body, not just in a metaphorical sense, but as a living organism that thrives on the interdependence of its parts. Each of us has a unique role and gift that should contribute to the health of the whole Church. In today’s context, we need recognize and celebrate the diversity within our Christian communities. For example, in some parishes, we have different language groups. Such a diversity shouldn’t be seen as a menace but rather a richness for the whole community. At the same time, each group should remember that it belongs essentially to the same one body of Christ and therefore should work more on unity of the Church. 

So, whether we are educators,  caregivers, businesspersons, or students, engineers, medical doctors, politicians, etc., our various talents should be considered first of all as divine endowment meant to build up the Church and the society according to God’s will.

It could be useful to take a moment today or any other day to reflect. Each person can ask himself or herself the following questions: What is my gift? How can I use it to serve others within my community? It’s about embracing who we are and being intentional in deploying your gifts. If you are an encourager, find ways to uplift those around you. If you have the gift of leadership, lead with integrity and purpose. It’s finally about being genuine with whom God wants us to be.

In Sincerity and Devotion (v. 9-10): Paul goes further to calls for a love that is genuine, without pretense. This sincere love is a commitment to seek the best for others. Today, we are bombarded with messages that encourage self-interest. It obvious that we cannot truly love others if we do not first love ourselves; however, let’s remember that the self-love of which Jesus spoke about (Cfr Mt 22, 37-39) is not akin to selfishness. Loving others as oneself is better understood when we place at heart our interpersonal relationships the “image and likeness of God” in which we are created”. To practice sincere love, Christians must counter the prevailing cultural narrative by honoring and preferring others in everyday interactions, be it in line at the grocery store, in traffic, or in the workplace, etc.

Let's Pause and think: Are there areas in my life where my love could be more sincere? Consider the small acts of kindness and consideration that can make a significant impact on someone's day.

In Zeal and Service (v. 11-13): Keeping our spiritual fervor is not about emotional highs but about a steadfastness in serving the Lord. In our fast-paced, often secular environments, maintaining this zeal requires conscious effort. It could mean starting our day with prayer, or being conscious of ethical choices at work, or seeking to share what we have with those in need.

Ask yourself: How can I maintain my spiritual zeal in daily life? Perhaps it's through creating a habit of daily prayer, engaging in regular service projects, or finding a community of believers with whom to connect and grow.

In Harmony and Humility (v. 14-16): Blessing those who persecute you is counter-cultural. It calls for a response to hostility not with revenge, but with grace. This teaching is extremely relevant in our world filled with online trolling and social media feuds. The devil seeks to ensnare us in the vicious circle of vengeance. Let’s resist these temptations with faith. As a Christian, choosing to bless rather than retaliate can be a powerful testimony.

Lets Reflect on this: Are there people who antagonize me? How can I respond with a blessing instead of a curse? It could be as simple as refusing to engage in negative dialogue, offering a prayer for that person, or even extending a hand of peace.

Practicing what Paul preached in Romans 12:5-16 means embracing our unique gifts in unity, loving sincerely, serving the Lord with zeal, and living in harmony and humility. This passage is a call to a transformative way of life that, when lived out, has the power to change not only individual hearts but entire communities. Let us therefore seek to apply these timeless truths to our lives, that we may be a living testimony to the grace and love of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

May God bless us as we strive to be led by the light of the Good News!

 

Let us Pray🙏🙏🙏

 

Heavenly Father,

We come before you, just as we are, thanking you for the gift of a new day and gift of your Word.

In the spirit of sincerity and devotion that Apostle Paul commended, we come before You seeking a heart that loves genuinely, without pretense. Help us to embody the selfless love of Christ, that sees beyond the self and cherishes others in the light of Your divine image.

In a world that often heralds self-interest, Grant us the courage to counter cultural narratives with acts of kindness, to honor and prefer our neighbors in the simplicity of daily life, in queues, in traffic, on our pathways, and within the walls where we labor.

May Your Spirit guide us to love ourselves rightly, not with the hollow echo of vanity, but with the wholesome embrace of Your teachings. Let this love overflow, touching lives, mending hearts, bridging divides, as we remember that in loving one another, we reflect and honor You.

We ask for the grace to place at the very heart of our relationships the truth that we are made in Your image and likeness, a truth that calls us to a higher standard of love one that Jesus Himself lived and died for.

May our actions speak of this love, our words carry its warmth, and our lives be a testament to the genuine affection You desire of us. In unity with Your will, may we walk the path of love, Today and every day.

Amen.

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COMMEMORATION OF ALL SOULS: EMBRACING CHRIST’S PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

                               

Today, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day), we remember and pray for the souls of those who have departed from this world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” ( Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030-1032). In the light of this Church's teaching, Let’s meditate on the Gospel of the day: John 6:37-40.

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

In these words, Jesus Christ reassures us of the Father’s loving plan for humanity. The Father desires to draw all souls to Himself, and Christ, in His obedient love, embraces this Divine Will. He speaks of an open invitation: “All those the Father gives me will come to me.” This is a call to all, regardless of our past, our sins, or our failures. Jesus will not drive away those who come to Him. This promise is a source of immense consolation for us, especially as we remember those who have departed.

In John 12:32, Jesus proclaimed His eternal will to draw all souls to Himself, to save all. In Christ, God gives all the possibility of salvation, even at the last minutes. We all know the story of one of the two brigands crucified with Jesus. One was saved because he humbled himself, acknowledged his past sin (received instantly the sacrament of reconciliation), and prayed: “Lord Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”! In response to such a great expression of humility and repentance, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” God’s infinite mercy is offered to human liberty.

Jesus emphasizes that He has come to do the Father’s will, which is to lose none of those entrusted to Him but to raise them up at the last day. Resurrection is an essential aspect of our Christian faith. This is the reason why St. Paul said, “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our preaching is useless and your faith is in vain” (Cfr. 1 Cor. 15:14). The promise of resurrection gives meaning to our earthly lives; it gives us hope that our beloved dead are not lost but are in the hands of a loving Savior who has conquered death itself. Faith in Resurrection gives new Perspective to our lives. I really wonder what life on earth could mean without the Resurrection and eternal life dimension.

In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks of the last day, a day of resurrection and life. For those who look to the Son and believe in Him, there is the promise of eternal life. This belief is not merely an intellectual assent but a trustful surrender to Jesus, a relationship with Him that transcends death. We can think of what Jesus does for us each time we receive the Holy Communion; He prepares us for eternal life.

On this day, as we remember the souls of the departed, let us find solace in Christ’s words. Let us pray for our beloved dead, entrusting them to the merciful heart of Jesus. May our prayers be an expression of our hope in the resurrection and our faith in the eternal life promised to us.

As we meditate on these verses, let us also examine our own lives. Are we responding to Christ’s invitation? Are we living in a way that reflects our belief in eternal life? What if the Lord called us today; are we ready? Let us renew our commitment to follow Jesus, to accept His invitation of love, and to live in the hope of the resurrection. May this day deepen our faith and strengthen our hope in the promises of Christ, as we remember all the faithful departed. Amen.

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LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, on this solemn day of remembrance of All the Departed Souls, on this day of remembrance of all the departed souls, we offer our prayers for the faithful departed. We trust in Your promise of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and find comfort in His words that no soul is lost to Your infinite mercy.

May we live in hopeful anticipation of the resurrection, and embrace Your Divine Will in all things. As we honor the memory of our beloved dead, may we respond to Your loving invitation with faith and humility. We ask for the intercession of the Holy Spirit to prepare ourselves for the joy of eternal communion with You. Amen.🙏🙏🙏

TRANSCENDING TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS: THE ASSURANCE OF Romans 8:18-25

Romans 8:18-25 is essentially a beacon of hope, illuminating our path when darkness, despair, and difficulties threaten to engulf our spirit. I think that at the heart of this letter is this expression: ‘For in Hope we are Saved,". This passage is particularly poignant for believers navigating the turbulent waters of modern challenges. In November 2007, Pope Benedict XVI (of blessed memory) wrote an encyclical called Spe Salvi - In Hope we are saved. He presented "Hope" as Biblical word interchangeable with the word "Faith". 

The message of St Paul to the Romans is the fruit of his Faith experiences. He went through a lot of hardship, sufferings, persecutions and rejection; all for the sake of the Gospel, but never gave up because he knew the One in whom he has put his trust - his hope. So, his experience of Hope is the fruit of his encounter with Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that the sufferings we experience now are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. It's easy to get bogged down by personal, societal, and global challenges, but we can take comfort in the fact that they're temporary in the grand scheme of God's plan of Salvation, the realisation of His Kingdom.

It's not just us humans who are waiting for redemption, though. All of creation yearns for liberation from decay and the freedom that comes with being a child of God. Even though we have the first fruits of the Spirit, we still long for a world free of pain and suffering.

The heart of this meditation is the declaration that “For in this hope we were saved." Hope is what gives us strength. This isn't a fleeting wish; it's a steadfast assurance grounded in God's promises. Hope is what faith is all about, and it's what keeps us anchored. We don't hope for things we already have; we hope for things we don't yet have. St Padre Pio often advised those who came to him for help in these words: “Pray, Hope, don’t worry. Worry is useless, God is merciful and will hear your prayer”.

This message is  important  especially when we are facing difficult times. We know that it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when we're in the thick of things, but Paul urges us to look beyond the present difficulties and anchor ourselves in the eternal hope that Christ offers. God promised us that behold, He is making everything new, (Cfr Apocalypse 21,5). Every believer can find in these words strength to move forward on the journey of Faith, even when winds of temptations, problems are blowing against his or her life. 

In one of his interviews, Jurgen Moltmann (a famous german theologian) said: "Hope is joy anticipated".  To Hope means looking beyond the immediate problems, difficulties, trials,  and trusting that the future is bright, even when the present is bleak. We're not just waiting around for things to get better; we're actively participating in God's plan by making each day count, listening to the voice of the Spirit of God, discerning the signs of time. We know that despite the darkness of the present, there's a bright future ahead. Our hope is founded on the promise of God. And we believe that God's word is Truth. 

So, let's remember that as followers of Christ, we're not promised an easy life. But we are promised a hope that is unshakable, that remains firm in the face of adversity, and that ultimately saves us. Paul's words remind us that our trials are short-lived compared to the glory that awaits us. "For in Hope we are Saved." Let's hold onto that hope as we journey forward.

 

Prayer of Hope and Thanksgiving!

Dear God,

In times of difficulty and hardship, we turn to Your Word for comfort and hope. We find solace in the promises of Romans 8 and the knowledge that You are always with us.

We know that our earthly struggles are temporary and that You have a glorious future planned for us. Thank You for Your unwavering love and the assurance that our present sufferings will give way to eternal joy.

As we look back on this month, we are grateful for Your guidance and faithfulness. We give You all the praise and thanksgiving as we continue to put our trust in Your love and care.

We make our prayers through Christ our Lord!

May God bless you abundantly in Jesus Name!!! 

THE HEARTBEAT OF FAITH: EMBRACING GOD’S LOVE AND SHARING IT. (Matthew 22: 34-40 and Exodus 22:20-26).

The passage from Matthew 22: is of paramount importance to Christians; it  illuminates the essence of our faith: Love of God, of our Neighbours as Ourselves. Today’s Gospel recounts the Pharisees' attempt to test Jesus by asking him which commandment is the greatest. Jesus’ response is profound. Jesus distilled the vast mosaic of laws and teachings into two primary commandments of love. Yet, there is an intentional order in which He presents them, signaling the foundational nature of one over the other.

First, Jesus emphasizes the immense significance of loving God "with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This order in which Jesus summarized the whole commandments (613 as contained in the Jewish tradition), is not arbitrary. It suggests a hierarchy of love. The primary love is our love for God, from which all other forms of love emanate. Love for God is the foundation.

When we genuinely love God, we, by extension, learn to love ourselves – not in a narcissistic or self-serving manner, but in the profound understanding and appreciation of God's image in us. True self-love, as Jesus teaches, is an acknowledgment of this divine imprint, respecting and nurturing our God-given attributes and potentials. When we deeply love and reverence God, we begin to understand our intrinsic value as His creations. This realization enables us to love ourselves. And when we love ourselves in the light of God's love, we can't help but extend that love to others, recognizing the same divine spark in them.

Only upon this foundation of loving God and understanding our worth in His eyes can we move to the second commandment: to love our neighbors as ourselves. It's no secret that our ability to extend love to others is deeply intertwined with how we view and love ourselves. If our self-love is tainted with narcissism or selfishness, our love for others will be, too. But when rooted in the divine, our love for ourselves becomes the springboard from which genuine, selfless love for others can emerge.

“With all Your Heart”: In biblical times, the heart was often considered the seat of emotions, desires, and will. When Jesus speaks of loving God with all our heart, He is referring to our passions, desires, and emotions. It means that our love for God should be fervent, sincere, and from the depths of our emotional being. Our affections should be set on Him, and our deepest desires should be aligned with His will.

“With all Your Soul”: The soul is the essence of who we are. It is the immortal part of us that transcends our physical existence. Loving God with all our soul implies an eternal and unwavering commitment. Even when faced with challenges, temptations, or doubts in our earthly journey, our soul remains anchored in its love and commitment to God. It's a love that persists beyond life's fleeting moments, suggesting a bond that is unbreakable and eternal.

“With all Your Mind (or Spirit)”: The mind represents our intellect, our thoughts, our understanding, and our discernment. To love God with all our mind means to seek Him through study, reflection, and meditation on His Word. It's an invitation to know Him more deeply, to understand His character, His teachings, and His desires for us. This intellectual pursuit leads to a deeper, more informed, and conscious love for God. It's not just an emotional response but a reasoned, thoughtful devotion.

By emphasizing these three dimensions of love – heart, soul, and mind – Jesus is essentially calling for a holistic love for God. He wants believers to love God emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. This comprehensive love ensures that every aspect of our being is aligned with God, allowing us to live out our faith authentically and with integrity.

Exodus 22:20-26 help us understand what it means to love others.  It's a beautiful passage where God provides His people with a set of moral guidelines that emphasize the importance of compassion, justice, and love for others. God wants His people to treat everyone with respect and kindness, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized. He specifically calls on the Israelites not to mistreat foreigners, widows, or orphans. It's clear that God cares deeply for all people, and He warns of dire consequences for those who oppress the vulnerable. This passage reminds us that as God's people, we are called to be instruments of His mercy and love, spreading kindness and compassion wherever we go.

Therefore, we are called to see ourselves through God's eyes, recognizing our value and worth. From this vantage point, we can then radiate that love outward, ensuring our interactions are not tainted by the pitfalls of self-centeredness but are instead a testament to God’s unending love.

In a world where the lines between self-love and selfishness often blur, Jesus provides us with a clarifying perspective. To genuinely follow Christ's path, we must first acknowledge the divine within us, steering clear of narcissism, and then let that realization fuel our love for the world around us.

 

Let us Pray:

Heavenly Father, source of all love and light,

Guide our hearts to truly understand Your greatest commandments.

Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, and mind,

To see ourselves as reflections of Your divine image,

And to cherish that same divine spark in our neighbors.

 

Teach us, Lord, to embrace the depth of Your love for us,

That we might extend it selflessly to all those we encounter.

In moments of doubt or distraction, remind us of our intrinsic worth,

And guide our actions in the service of love, compassion, and understanding.

 

In the wisdom of Your teachings, may we find our path,

Uniting our love for You, ourselves, and our fellow creations.

Through Christ our Lord, the embodiment of Your love,

Amen.🙏🙏🙏

 

LIVING THE GOSPEL: REFLECTION ON THE FEAST OF ST LUKE (Luke 10, 1-9).

 

On this special feast day of St. Luke, the evangelist, we are called to reflect deeply on our mission as Christians. Luke, a physician by occupation, became disciple of Jesus by vocation, and followed Paul from whom he learnt most of what he wrote.  He is known as evangelist of joy because of how he presented the Good News of salvation. His attention to detail and dedication to conveying the message of Christ serve as an inspiration for all of us.

Our Calling to a Greater Mission:

Just as the seventy-two were sent out by Jesus, so too are we, by the grace of our baptism, called to evangelize—to bring the Good News to the ends of the earth. Our mission may not require us to travel to distant lands, but it certainly invites us to share the Gospel with our family, friends, co-workers, and the world around us.

“He sent them ahead of him in pairs”. But why did Jesus send his disciples in pairs? I think that there are at least two reasons: to form a community of disciples who pray and work together because “where two or three are gathered in his name, he is in their midst”.  The second reason is that within their mission context, testimonies were only validated if corroborated by two or more witnesses.

The Risks and Rewards of Missionary Work:

Jesus says to the 72 disciples: “Behold I am sending you like lambs among wolves…”: Being a missionary pushes us to transcend our boundaries (cultural, religious, social, moral standard)[1] and embrace others, sometimes at the risk of  misunderstanding, resistance, or even persecution. St Luke, whose legacy we honor today, was no stranger to such challenges. Yet, he pressed on, fortified by the divine grace.  

The Essence of Simplicity:

When Jesus instructed his disciples to travel light, he underscored the virtue of divine providence. In our earthly pilgrimage, there are things that can distract us from our primary mission. By embracing simplicity, we can better focus on what truly matters: our relationship with God and our call to serve others.

Peace as Our Gift for others:

The first message the disciples are to proclaim is “Shalom”, meaning “Peace”. While this aligns with the customary Jewish greetings, Jesus’ directive goes deeper. As the source of true peace, He charges us to bestow upon others what he gifted us (refer to John 14:27). It means that the disciples have to open wider hearts and hands to receive what is to be offered to others. As followers of Christ, we are to carry the gift of His peace. When we enter people, let’s try to radiate the peace, Joy and Love of Christ. Our world is in dare need of peace; but yet, how many really know the author and giver of peace?  Jesus says that If our peace is not accepted, we should move forward, undeterred in our mission.

The Kingdom is Near:

Each gesture of love, every word of encouragement, and every moment of genuine listening, every act of peace we offer to others each day draw the kingdom of God closer. Like Luke, our role isn't just to talk about the kingdom but to actively demonstrate it through our actions.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Luke, let's embrace our unique roles as modern-day evangelists. We are all called to be a living gospel for other. Although this is quite challenging, but with God it become possible. Our daily interactions, our acts of kindness, and our dedication to the teachings of Christ are the stories we pen in the hearts of those we meet.

 

Let us Pray:

Lord, on this feast day of St. Luke, inspire us to embrace our divine calling as bearers of the Gospel. Like Luke, may we be storytellers of Your love and grace, using our lives as living testaments of Your teachings.

Grant us the courage to evangelize with authenticity, the simplicity to focus solely on You, and the serenity to be carriers of Your peace. As we journey forth, remind us that every act of love and kindness brings Your kingdom closer to our hearts and to those we encounter. St. Luke, pray for us, that we might pen Your story not just with words, but with our actions and deeds. Amen.

May God bless you today as you listen to His Word!

HAPPY FEAST OF ST LUKE🙏🙏🙏

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[1] A typical example of this crossing borders is the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman in John 4, 1-42. 

PURETÉ INTÉRIEURE : LE VOYAGE VERS UNE SAINTETÉ AUTHENTIQUE (Méditation sur Luc 11 :37-41)

 

Écriture :

Lorsque Jésus eut fini de parler, un pharisien l'invita à manger avec lui ; il entra donc et s'assit à table. Mais le pharisien fut surpris de voir que Jésus ne s'était pas lavé avant le repas. Alors le Seigneur lui dit : "Vous autres, pharisiens, vous nettoyez l'extérieur de la coupe et du plat, mais à l'intérieur vous êtes pleins de cupidité et de méchanceté. Insensés ! Celui qui a fait l'extérieur n'a-t-il pas aussi fait l'intérieur ? Mais donnez en aumône ce qui est à l'intérieur, et tout sera pur pour vous." (Luc 11:37-41,)

La Vraie Essence de la Sainteté.

Dans notre parcours chrétien, nous pouvons facilement nous laisser prendre par l'apparence de la sainteté, un peu comme les pharisiens qui étaient méticuleux à propos des rituels extérieurs et de la pureté. Ils étaient tellement préoccupés par les pratiques extérieures qu'ils ont manqué l'essence d'une vraie relation sincère avec Dieu.

Les paroles de Jésus aujourd'hui sont un rappel frappant que c'est ce qui se trouve à l'intérieur de notre cœur qui compte le plus. Nous pouvons devenir tellement préoccupés par la manière dont les autres nous perçoivent, tellement obsédés par l'image de la perfection, que nous négligeons l'état de nos cœurs, notre vie intérieure qui correspond à notre vie spirituelle. Mais Dieu, qui voit tout, connaît nos désirs les plus profonds, nos peurs et nos intentions.

Pureté Intérieure et Générosité Extérieure.

Il est donc essentiel pour nous de nous rappeler que nous sommes aimés, non pas à cause de la manière dont nous maintenons les apparences, notre perfection extérieure, mais à cause de ce que nous sommes : des enfants de Dieu. Le même Dieu qui a conçu chaque partie de nous se soucie profondément de notre être le plus intime. L'appel de Jésus ici est très clair : il veut que nous privilégiions toujours l'interne, le cœur. La vraie pureté commence de l'intérieur. C'est la raison pour laquelle la béatitude dit : "Heureux les cœurs purs, car ils verront Dieu" (Matthieu 5:8). C'est l'un des enseignements fondamentaux de Jésus dans Marc 7, 14-23 : « Rien de ce qui est extérieur à l'homme et qui entre en lui ne peut le rendre impur. Mais ce sont les choses qui sortent de l'homme qui le rendent impur. » Dans la suite de ce passage de Marc, Jésus énuméra une série d’actes qui rendent l’homme impur.  

Dans le passage d'aujourd'hui, Jésus donne une prescription profonde : « soyez généreux envers les pauvres ». La générosité est l'expression d'un cœur pur. En donnant à ceux qui en ont besoin, nous reflétons la nature du Christ, qui s'est donné lui-même pour nous. Par des actes de générosité, nous bénissons non seulement les autres, mais nous cultivons aussi un cœur en harmonie avec le cœur de Dieu, un cœur qui passe de l'égoïsme à l'ouverture et à la compassion envers les autres.

Aujourd'hui, ne nous concentrons pas uniquement sur l'extérieur, mais prêtons davantage attention à ce qui se passe ou se produit dans nos cœurs. Examinons nos motifs, désirs et intentions. Nous pouvons commencer par un petit acte de générosité. Cela pourrait être un don à une œuvre caritative, aider un voisin, ou même offrir un mot d'encouragement à quelqu'un dans le besoin. Par ces actes, nous purifions nos cœurs et nous rapprochons du cœur de Dieu, tout en permettant au temple de Dieu en nous de briller.

 

Prière :

Cher Père Céleste, aide-nous à privilégier l'état de nos cœurs plutôt que nos apparences extérieures. Pardonne-nous quand nous nous laissons prendre par les apparences au lieu d'être, plutôt que de vivre véritablement notre foi de l'intérieur. Remplis-nous d'un esprit de générosité, afin que nous puissions refléter Ton amour à ceux qui nous entourent. Au nom de Jésus, nous prions. Amen.

 

 

 

 

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

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.