28 Week Ordinary Time
Gospel: Lk 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.
RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH: In the first reading, St. Paul tells the Romans that the one who is righteous by faith will live. God will punish those who hide the truth with evil for they exchanged the truth with a lie by worshipping idols instead of God. In the Gospel, the Pharisees thought that they were righteous but they practiced their faith by only observing the outside cleanliness. Their hearts were filled with evil. Jesus reprimands Simon his host (a Pharisee) due to his convectional and outdated thinking. He was only filled with customary laws of washing hands, which did not reflect righteous faith. Sometimes we are not concerned on righteous faith but only concentrate in the observance of customs and rules. A blind addiction to customs will not lead us to righteous faith of God’s Kingdom.
PRAYER: God our Father May you help us to live a life of faith and righteousness.
*****
THE GOSPEL IN THE HEART: Most of us are spiritually nurtured with catechisms, sacraments of initiation, recollections and retreats. Yet we have not overcome the corruptions of the world and, immoral and unjust practices. We are tempted still to place our happiness on things and passing realities. It seems that faith has just remained in the surface and failed to take deep roots. Faith cannot remain as status symbol, rather it is to be personalized, enter deep in our hearts and transform us so that the Gospel becomes the sole principle that unifies, gives meaning, and guides all areas of our lives.
DAILY GOSPEL 