THE WORD
Gal 5,1-6 / 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 for you.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Some people seem to enjoy nothing but unreasonable questioning and criticism. They are gloomy grumblers, finding faults everywhere; specialists of destruction whom everyone wishes to avoid. Such are the Pharisees whom Jesus encounters in the Gospel but not avoid. In fact he even accepts their invitation to a meal, even knowing that conflict is ahead. Kind and compassionate, Jesus never rejects any person. With strong words he corrects the Pharisees, making it clear to them that he does not agree with their idea of justice and interpretation of God’s law. It’s one thing to talk about God and sacred things; it’s another to live out what we hear and believe. Only true love can teach us what is right or wrong. The law does not have the power to command us internally; only love does. It’s time to test our own critic. Do we have something in common with the Pharisees?
If we truly love our brothers and sisters, our critic will be a blessing, but if our critic comes from envy, jealousy, hatred and narrow-mindedness, then we are like the Pharisees, specialists of destruction, leaving behind us only ruins. A healthy positive critic is necessary for a vital human life in community. It’s for a paralyzed society like a cold shower that stimulates the flow of blood in the body so it can receive fresh strength and life. It’s like a gardener’s knife that mercilessly cuts away all that has grown wild or dried up, so the tree can freely breathe and grow again.
Let us find creative ways to become more understanding, more compassionate and forgiving and ask the Lord to deliver us from being a “fault- finders fraternity” instead of a life-giving community where everyone can feel at home.
- Sr. Marty Meyer, S.Sp.S. | Convent of the Holy Spirit, Quezon, City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
