14-Oct-15

Gospel LK 11:42-46
The Lord said:
“Woe to you Pharisees!
You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,
but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.
These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
Woe to you Pharisees!
You love the seat of honor in synagogues
and greetings in marketplaces.
Woe to you!
You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”
Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply,
“Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”
And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”
Reflection:
Today's gospel is about authenticity!
To the Pharisees who are careful to obey the smallest religious rule but ignore God's commandment of love and forgiveness of their fellow man, Jesus says, "You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” Harsh words, indeed.
Jesus makes it clear to the Pharisees, and to me, that he has no tolerance for hypocrisy.
When reading the gospel, I must avoid falling into the trap of focusing on the failure of the Pharisees, and instead look into my own heart.
No one likes a phony. To what extent do I "walk the talk?"
I preach the love and hope of Jesus Christ, but when someone insults me, do I "Turn the other cheek?" Luke 6:29
I go to daily mass, but am I tolerant and forgiving of my thirty year old grandson, who time and time again makes bad choices? "Do not judge, and you will not be judged..." Luke 6:37
I can be generous when my heart is moved, but do I "Give to everyone who begs.... "Luke 6:30
The gospel does not call me to judge the Pharisees: It calls me to examine my own behavior toward those whom I encounter in life.
And, to be mindful of Jesus' words: "......for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:38
Jesus said, "First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye." Luke 6:42