| Tuesday, October 16, 2001 Saint Hedwig, religious - Optional Memorial |
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From wau.org ...
On one level, this Pharisee seems to have been a decent person. By inviting Jesus to lunch, he showed that he was interested in getting to know the latest "popular" rabbinical teacher. By ceremonially cleansing his hands before eating, he also showed that he was careful about fulfilling his religious obligations. Finally, by refraining from criticizing his guest, he showed some sense of good manners. Yet Jesus gave this man a very sharp rebuke, calling him greedy and a fool. Why? It couldn't be that Jesus didn't love him. He looked upon everyone with kindness and compassion. What was Jesus doing?
The man had a problem that he either did not see or did not want to see. Despite his religious behavior, his heart was filled with very non-religious motivations. He was basically a selfish person, intent on getting more for himself rather than on giving to others. His religious behavior was a screen that prevented him from seeing his need for a change of heart. The kindest thing that Jesus could do for him was to remove the screen and show him what lay behind it.
What about us? How often do we avoid facing up to the selfishness in our hearts? We may think that changing would be hard, or even impossible. But Jesus wants to wake us up to our need for repentance because he wants to heal us. He wants to cleanse our hearts--and not just in a general way: He wants to heal my selfish thoughts, my lusts, my envy. Are we willing to let Jesus probe us and put his finger on those thoughts and patterns of behavior in us that need to be changed? We have no cause to be afraid. He already knows our sins, and loves us anyway.
Jesus didn't just criticize the Pharisee. He showed him the way out of his bondage: "Give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you" (Luke 11:41). Jesus promises that as we step outside our self-concern and begin to demonstrate concrete, practical care for other people, we will experience his grace at work in us, changing our hearts.
"Lord Jesus, you're right. I need a change of heart, but I can't do it myself. Heal me, so that I may love as you love."
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Have a great day, everyone.
