Ord.Wk 28th: Wednesday 14th October, 2020 October 14, 2020
Reflection on the WORD
Hypocrisy – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees forcefully for their hypocrisy. They deceive the public into thinking that they are very religious and righteous, when in fact, they are unjust, corrupt and oppressive. Pray daily for greater sincerity and sanctity in our love for God and everyone.
Luke 11:42-46
The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees, because you pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and neglect justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others.
‘Alas for you Pharisees, because you like to take the seats of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted respectfully in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that people walk on without knowing it!’
A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’ But he said, ‘Alas for you lawyers as well, because you load on people burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not touch with your fingertips.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Jesus was angry with the Pharisees because they pay all kinds of tithes, but do not observe the “justice and the love of God” that is more important.
- Moreover, they misguide and impose heavy burdensome and obscure rules on others; without themselves observing them.
- Jesus is also cautioning us not to attend to matters of little importance, and neglecting the essential practice of our faith which is to love God wholeheartedly through our daily actions and ways of living.