The Gospel according to Luke (11:37-41)
After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
Reflection:
So, having written about this particular Gospel before, I’d like to ponder a part of it that I’ve not focused on before – that last line: “give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” It’s a very curious line, isn’t it? What does Jesus mean by it?
Well, first, we note Jesus’ harsh words for the Pharisees. He especially chastises them in the Gospel of Matthew, but he has very strong words for them here, calling them “fools” and saying that they are “filled with plunder and evil”. Those would be very offensive words to the caretakers of the Law! Why does Jesus say that about the Pharisees?
We know that the Pharisees were the “enforcers” of the Law – they very carefully watched their fellow Jews to make sure they not only followed the Law given to Moses by God, but the traditions as well, treating all of them equal to each other. That was the problem. Jesus Himself, elsewhere in the Gospels, boils all of the Jewish Law down to two statements: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. If each of us do that, we will be doing what God asks of us.
But what about that line about “give alms”? It all comes down to motivation. What are the “alms”, anyway? They are the kind actions we make as a return to God for the many blessings He gives to us. It is how we share in the care of the less fortunate, by giving some of our own excess so that those who lack can have more to meet their needs. Why is it a big deal? Well, as a Deacon and as a follower of Jesus, it would be easy for me to say that I’m doing it so others will tell me what a holy person I am or what a good person I am. If that’s my motivation, then I am far off-base, and definitely need a course correction!
The reason I should give alms and help those who are in need is not for my own reputation or glory – it is for the glory of God and to help shine the light of His love to those who need it. If no one notices, all the better! Those are crazy words to hear in our modern world today, aren’t they? My response to that is that Jesus never said that what He requires of His disciples was “expected” or “reasonable” in the eyes of the world. Instead, He knew He was telling us to swim against the current. He knew it would be hard for us, but that’s why we have His Holy Spirit with us, strengthening us to be able to do more than we could ever do on our own. Our task is not to try to do it on our own, or for any reason other than to share Jesus’ love with those we meet. We do it because we know it is what Jesus wants us to do, and we leave the results up to Him, knowing that we did even a small part of His mission in the world. We can ask for no greater thanks than that!
Action for the Day:
Be open today to any opportunity you have to help another of God’s children in some way. Ask God to help you to take that action of kindness when you have the chance, and if it comes today, thank Him for putting you in the place to help extend His kingdom!
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