Today’s Gospel:  Luke 11:42-46

REFLECTION
In discussing today’s Gospel, it should be remembered that Jesus came to earth when the religious life of the nation was at its lowest ebb. Spirituality had been buried beneath the dictates of legalism. James 1:27, says “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Love is the hallmark of true godliness, but unfortunately this was missing from the exercises of the Pharisees. They were critical, spiteful, legalistic, and often their attitude toward fellowmen was exactly the opposite of what might have been expected from men so anxious to observe the traditions of the fathers. Ostentatiously they tithed even the herbs from their gardens, but they forgot or ignored the weightier matters of virtue, kindness, and true humility. They would argue about seats of importance at any function; they expected people to recognize them as they walked in the market places; they desired and demanded public acclamation, and yet they were obnoxious in the sight of God.

The criticism against the lawyers in the crowd more or less is self-explanatory. The lawyers were experts in finding fault with other people; it was a startling change when they discovered they themselves were being criticized. One cannot read these utterances of the Lord without admiring the continuing courage with which He faced His task. Men of smaller stature would have modified the denunciation feeling the influential people in the audience might thereby be won. Jesus never played to the gallery; when He saw sin in arrogant hearts, He denounced it.

Today’s Reading:  Gal 5:18-25

PRAYER
Lord, as you are the Truth, teach us to love the truth and walk in the truth.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.