28th Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Reflection on the WORD
“Hypocritical Faith”: Jesus challenged the Pharisees and lawyers to be more aware of their “hypocritical faith.” They were “shocked and angry” with Jesus for pointing out the truth. Ponder on, “Hypocrisies in our faith are ways in which we practice of our faith to glorify ourselves in deceitful ways. Pray for the grace of humility and integrity in the living of our faith.”
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.
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Jesus is also cautioning us not to attend to matters of little importance, and neglect the essential practice of our faith which is to love God wholeheartedly through our daily actions and ways of living.