28th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 11th October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 11,37-41
Scrutinizing Attitude
Jesus accepts an invitation to eat at the home of a Pharisee. Since Abraham welcomed the three strangers (Gen 18,1-8), hospitality has been woven into the faith and culture of the Jewish people from then on. It is said that when one knows of strangers who are hungry or need a place of rest, providing hospitality becomes a legal obligation in Jewish tradition. At the same time, for this Pharisee inviting Jesus to dine in his home also meant inviting all those travelling with Jesus. It was not a small thing for the host to open his home to Jesus. Because it included many dishes, lots of arrangements, and long conversations. However, after Jesus’ entry into his home, the Pharisee was shocked to see that Jesus was not following the rituals of washing as prescribed in the law. It is said that he was amazed. Was his intention purely hospitality? It seems that the Pharisee had an intention other than being hospitable. He was using this occasion to scrutinize and judge Jesus. Although the Pharisee never spoke in this context, we find Jesus making comments based on the critical thoughts of the Pharisees. In practice, Jesus knows what we are thinking, and he is straightforward in despising duplicity. Indeed, this exchange between Jesus and the Pharisee is an opportunity for self-examination of our hospitality.
