28th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 12th October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 11,42-46
Shunning God-Given Privileges
Jesus criticizes with four woes the lifestyle of the Pharisees and scholars of the law who think only of themselves and their own importance. The first continues the contrast between the inner and outer, but also adds the contrast between the important and insignificant. 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 returns to the contrast between the inner and outer. Inner corruption of the Pharisees is not visible. They are like graves that are hidden inside and consequently result in defiling others by contact with them. Fourth is addressed to the lawyers. Jesus is condemning them for imposing legal restrictions on people but doing nothing to help them. The law, which was meant to be a pointer and help, has been made into a burden and an end in itself. The Pharisees and the scribes had turned their ambition inward by performing godly acts to attain honour for themselves instead of guiding God’s people in justice and love of God. Jesus condemns them for turning God-given privileges and great responsibility for their own personal benefits.
