Luke 11:42-46
Our gospel this morning provides us with a little squabble between our Lord and the Pharisees. The squabble began when a Pharisee invited Jesus over for a meal. During the meal, the Pharisee noticed that Jesus did not observe the prescribed washing before meals.
In the Book of Exodus, priests were required to wash at the bronze basin in the Temple (Ex. 30:17-21). The Pharisees extended this washing to domestic tables, treating their homes like miniature sanctuaries. The idea was that when one transitioned from ordinary life (like going to the marketplace) to eating sacred or formal bread, one should wash his hands. This washing sometimes extended to cleaning cups, pitchers, and couches after visiting public marketplace. Such washing rituals were not about physical cleanliness but about ritual purity.
A problem emerged (because of fallen human nature) in that it was all too easy to focus on such external rituals and forget inner justice and love for God. When the focus remained on microscopic details like setting aside a tenth of small garden plants and a failure to show basic kindness and fairness to others, there was a major problem.
The Pharisees also struggled with seeking seats of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces, i.e., seeking status, good reputations, and special treatment. Like hidden graves that defiled people who stepped on them (contact with the dead), the Pharisees’ false righteousness silently infected ordinary people with spiritual corruption and errors without them even noticing.
Our Lord’s criticism is a great reminder of prioritizing weightier matters of faith. Outward compliance with the Church’s teaching never replaces the need for converted hearts grounded in mercy, love, and justice. Our Lord also reminds us that true faith focuses on humility and service to Christ by serving others rather than social recognition or titles.
Beware of what is sometimes call the “piety gap” – preaching or performing external devotions while neglecting mercy, justice, humility, and genuine love for God and neighbor.
As Catholics, we have our tangible, visible, and physical expressions of faith – the sign of the cross, genuflecting, using holy water, praying the Rosary, lighting votive candles, wearing religious jewelry – which are beautiful and good! However, they can never replace our Lord’s twofold command to love God and neighbor. We could say it this way, “Keep the center centered” – Jesus Christ must remain the focus of all you say and do!
~St. Thérèse, pray for us!