28th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 13th October 2020 — Gospel: Lk 11,37-41
Giving out from Within
In today’s gospel, Jesus is stressing the importance of the inward over against the outward. Finally, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a right inward attitude when giving alms (11,41). The phrase “what is within” has various senses, literally it means “things that are within”; i.e., those within the cup and the dish. In a way, give out of your cups and platters drink to the thirsty and meat to the hungry, for your platters and cups are full of these things, which was received by injustice and oppression. As in the time of the prophets, the Pharisees oppress and defraud men, devour widow’s houses, and fill their own with the plunder of others; then in order to make atonement for their avarice and extortion, they give out alms. To the Pharisees, the alms deeds justified them in the sight of God, cleansed them from their sins, delivered them from hell, and gave them a title to eternal life (Mt 6,1). But Jesus speaks their sense in an ironic way. He exhorts his hearers to demonstrate their hearts for God by giving to the poor. We must give from our hearts and not just make an outward gesture. For a good deed to be an act of true mercy, it must be a gift that comes from inside – from a loving and willing heart (2 Cor 9,7). This is the kind of love that purifies and cleanses in the eyes of God. Giving doesn’t make things clean. Giving comes from what is within and when done with a good heart, all things are clean.
