First reading Galatians 5:1-6
It is faith, not the Law, that justifies us
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who tell you this: if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all. With all solemnity I repeat my warning: Everyone who accepts circumcision is obliged to keep the whole Law. But if you do look to the Law to make you justified, then you have separated yourselves from Christ, and have fallen from grace. Christians are told by the Spirit to look to faith for those rewards that righteousness hopes for, since in Christ Jesus whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference – what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):41,43-45,47-48
Lord, let your love come upon me.
Lord, let your love come upon me,
the saving help of your promise.
Do not take the word of truth from my mouth
for I trust in your decrees.
Lord, let your love come upon me.
I shall always keep your law
for ever and ever.
I shall walk in the path of freedom
for I seek your precepts.
Lord, let your love come upon me.
Your commands have been my delight;
these I have loved.
I will worship your commands and love them
and ponder your statutes.
Lord, let your love come upon me.
Gospel Luke 11:37-41
Give thanks for what you have and it will all be clean
Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.’
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Cleanliness of heart
The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus did not perform the rituals of cleanliness before eating when he invited Jesus to his house for a meal. He was so focused on adhering to external rituals that he failed to recognise the true importance: the goodness of Jesus. Jesus, on the contrary, pointed out that the only necessary thing was the cleanliness of the heart. “Blessed are the pure in heart; they will see God” (Mt 5:8)
To be pure in heart does not mean being perfect in fulfilling all the laws, but having pure intentions, being honest, and generous towards others. In other words, to fulfil the law of love towards God and neighbour, we will see the goodness in those around us. The Pharisee failed to see the face of God in Jesus; he was too concerned with the externals instead of embodying the essence of God’s commandments. Jesus, in the conversation with the Pharisee, teaches us the importance of having a pure heart that feels for others and reaches out to their needs.
Reflective question:
What do I learn from the teaching of Jesus in this passage?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
