REFLECTIONS

REFLECTION ON LK 11:37-41 –A GLIMPSE INSIDE

October 13, 2020

Traditionally, Jews are required to wash their hands and say a blessing before eating any meal. The practice of netilat yadayim (hand washing) originated with the rabbis of the Talmud. It derives from various practices concerning ritual impurity from when the ancient temple stood in Jerusalem where the priest washed their hands before eating the foods offered in the temple. (Jewish Learning: belief and practices)

In Lk 11:38-41, Jesus deliberately did not observe the customary ritual washing of hands before the meal. This scandalizes the Pharisee who invited him to dine with him. Jesus in turn took this opportunity to confront them of the real significance of ritual cleansing in the succeeding passage j "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy — full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn't God make the inside as well as the outside? So, clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over." Jesus was not averse to outside cleanliness but stressed that cleansing inside of the greed and wickedness, by giving alms to the needy, is of utmost importance than appearing clean outside with their observance of ritual washing. Furthermore, scriptural passage Mt 15:19 states that "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” The outward appearance of being good without a real CONVERSION OF HEART is of no value and does not contribute to the salvific act of God.

A glimpse inside brings about moments of inconsistency on my part where I withhold help where it is needed most, refuse to give away beautiful things because of sentimental reason, harbor resentments because what was voiced out hurts my pride, etc.

JESUS, in the preceding verses, pronounced an awakening call to be CONSISTENT or COHERENT of who “I AM” and of what “I DO”.

Let us pray,

Father, forgive me for my greed. I know that many of your children live with joy in the midst of poverty. I know many of them are far more generous than I am. Open my heart and cleanse me through and through. Make me more generous with others, just as you have been generous with me. Thank you for all of my blessings, in Jesus' name. Amen. (Heart Light, Thursday, August 1, 2019)