Breaking the Word

28^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 12^th 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.

28^th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 11^th 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.