Luke 11:37-41
After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
Reflection
Luke is a book with many important conversations over meals - some of them awkward (like this one). Jesus is invited to dine in the home of a Pharisee, a religious Jewish leader. The Pharisee notes (read: is astonished) that Jesus does not "observe the prescribed washing before the meal." If we read this quickly, it seems that the Pharisee brought this to Jesus's attention, but that isn't quite what it says. Luke does not record the Pharisee ever speaking, and so we get the sense that the Lord read his thoughts (or rather, looked inside his heart). As elsewhere in the Gospels, Jesus's words are harsh. He points out that the Pharisees are concerned with the exterior, but neglect the interior. There is a lot of rule-following, but not much grace or giving.
What if Jesus came to my home to have dinner? Immediately I can imagine some aspects of my life Jesus might praise - some issues and struggles I've been having victory over. But if I'm really honest, I can feel Him pierce my heart, too: "Sara, are you as concerned about the inside as you are the outside? Are you living a life characterized by generosity? Forget about your hands - is your heart clean?"
Prayer: Father, You are the Gardener. Help us to examine our hearts honestly before You, asking You to root out all that is hypocritical, and plant hope, faith, and charity toward others. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
- Today's post is by Ms. Sara Maniscalco, ICS Music Teacher
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