25 “Woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P’rushim! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Parush! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may be clean too.
Saint Louis (Optional Memorial)Cleanse first the inside of the cup. (Matthew 23:26)
Like the cup Jesus speaks of here, our hearts are meant to be receptacles that we allow God to fill and that we then pour into the lives of other people. Sometimes, though, our hearts may feel more like Molly McGee’s closet, packed with junk that bursts forth at the slightest touch. All the fears, anger, resentment, inordinate loves, and other rubbish stored there mean less room for God’s love and life, less overflow to others.
Whether it’s a chaotic closet or an unwashed cup, the remedy is the same: make it clean and usable. Face the grime squarely, and deal with it. Discard the junk. Scour the cup. Take inventory of what’s in your heart, and trust in the Father’s love for you.
As you engage in this cleaning operation, remember that Jesus’ sharp words to the Pharisees were as much impassioned pleas as angry denunciations. God is kind, gentle, and always ready to help you. Remind yourself of that truth frequently: I am making more room for God’s love in my life.
So let the Holy Spirit shine the light of Christ in your heart and show you what’s cluttering it up. When you pinpoint sin, admit it. Go to Confession and let the priest help you scour your cup as he pronounces the words of absolution. But also be sure that as you do your penance, you let God tell you what he thinks of you: that he loves you passionately; that you are his child, and he holds you next to his heart always; and that you bring him joy.
Remember too that condemnation is not a part of Jesus’ message here. Nor is he minimizing the importance of our outward observances. Jesus is encouraging us to make room for more of him while we continue to do the other things as well. More room in your life for God’s love, a heart better able to fulfill God’s purposes for it—this is good news! Whether you are a missionary in a remote country or a catechist in your suburban parish, you are first a vessel, made to hold and to pour out God’s life and love on others.
“Jesus, I want more of you in my heart today!” Amen!
1 Thessalonians 2:1 You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not fruitless. 2 On the contrary, although we had already suffered and been outraged in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage, united with our God, to tell you the Good News even under great pressure. 3 For the appeal we make does not flow from error or from impure motives, neither do we try to trick people. 4 Instead, since God has tested us and found us fit to be entrusted with Good News, this is how we speak: not to win favor with people but with God, who tests our hearts. 5 For, as you know, never did we employ flattering talk, nor did we put on a false front to mask greed — God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek human praise — either from you or from others. 7 As emissaries of the Messiah, we could have made our weight felt; but instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother feeding and caring for her children. 8 We were so devoted to you that we were glad to share with you not only God’s Good News but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
Psalm 139:(0) For the leader. A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai, you have probed me, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I stand up,
you discern my inclinations from afar,
3 you scrutinize my daily activities.
You are so familiar with all my ways
4 that before I speak even a word, Adonai,
you know all about it already.
5 You have hemmed me in both behind and in front
and laid your hand on me.
6 Such wonderful knowledge is beyond me,
far too high for me to reach.
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment