Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus clearly is not happy with the general attitude of the Pharisees. He chastises them for their hypocrisy which is cloaked in their legalistic ways. The Pharisees know the Mosaic law backward and forward, but they do not understand the spirit of the law. What good is it to appear clean when your insides are dirty. What part of the cup is most important to be clean?  What is more important, clean hands or a clean heart and mind. It is easy to put on a fake façade and make people think you are righteous. But to truly be righteous, it must come from the heart. You must be willing to freely give from within. “But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” We have to be generous with those things we tend to hoard, those things we tend to hold back and keep from others. To give your treasures is to give the love which Christ poured out for you on the cross. You must be willing to make the inward sacrifice for others. You must show a deep concern for both their spiritual and material welfare. The phrase “to give alms” means to give mercy and compassion. Therefore, you are asked to give mercy and compassion as Christ gave to you. How much better the world would be if we sacrificed everything for our fellow man. Unfortunately we allow greed and envy plague our heart.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are so kind and merciful.

You poured out your love and grace to save me from my sins.

Help me cleanse my inside so that I can free myself from greed and envy.

Give me a clean mind and clean heart.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon