Oct 11 2022

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.

I shall always keep your law

for ever and ever.

I shall walk in the path of freedom

for I seek your precepts.

Your commands have been my delight;

these I have loved.

I will worship your commands and love them

and ponder your statutes.

Gospel Luke 11:37-41

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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To have the heart of Jesus

In today’s gospel, a Pharisee criticised Jesus for not washing His hands before eating according to the Jewish Law. Jesus responded by reminding the Pharisee not to be so concerned with externals and to neglect what was within.

Today, like the Pharisee, we often forget that what matters for God is that we seek and live out the values of the Gospel. Jesus ended by saying, “…give alms from what you have and, look; everything will be clean for you”. Jesus brings us back to the importance of giving ourselves to serve those in need.

Reflective question:
Do I focus on the externals, even in matters of faith, to the extent that I forget to pay attention to my attitudes and values?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.