Arulvakku

13.10.2021 — On Face to Face

28th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 13th October 2021 — Gospel: Lk 11,42-46

On Face to Face

Jesus was upset with the Pharisees, the most educated and influential members of the Jewish people, because they were resistant to his message of salvation. However, Jesus didn’t step back of his dissatisfaction. He didn’t criticize the Pharisees behind their backs pointing out their misbehavior. He spoke the truth to them directly, lovingly, and consistently. He would have preferred to be able to reason with them calmly. But it didn’t work that way. And so, expresses four woes that contrast between the inner and outer, between the important and insignificant. In the first, Jesus criticizes piety that observes external obedience while neglecting justice and the love of God. In the second, Jesus emphasizes that true piety does not seek praise from others. In the third, Jesus contrasts the inner corruption of the Pharisees, though not visible, yet others are defiled outwardly by their influence.  In the fourth, Jesus condemns the lawyers for burdening the people but doing nothing to help them.  In this way, Jesus simply pointed the Pharisees and legalists of their excellence in what could be seen by others, while they were careless about what only God could see.