Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary time, October 16, 2024

Reflection on the WORD

Faith and Deeds: In today’s Gospel, Jesus was saddened at the Pharisees who profess very religiously the Laws of Moses, but do not live what they profess. Ponder on: Do we judge others harshly when we are angry? Do we reach out to the poor and needy? To believe in Jesus is to live and become more humble and compassionate like Him.

Luke 11:42-46

The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. 

‘Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!’ 

A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’ ‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied, ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.’

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.