Fr Michael, Carlson, EP
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23,23-26
Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and fidelity. These you should have practiced, without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside may also be clean.”
Focusing on the Essentials
In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to reflect on our priorities. The Pharisees were diligent in fulfilling minor duties, yet they overlooked what was most essential: mercy, charity, and love for their neighbour. Their actions were guided by appearances rather than the true spirit of God’s law.
This reminder is just as relevant for us today. It is easy to perform outward acts of devotion, attend Mass, or even offer help to others, without nurturing our hearts with genuine love for God. True spirituality flows from an interior devotion that shapes every action, not just the visible ones.
Love That Motivates Action
True love for God inspires us to act not for recognition, but for His joy. It calls us to offer sacrifices, to pray with intention, and to help others with a heart focused on their eternal good. Even acts as simple as giving alms or offering a kind word are most meaningful when motivated by love and a desire to serve God.
For example, giving food to someone in need is a good act, but its value increases when it involves personal sacrifice or aims to save a soul. The Pharisees failed because their acts were performed for praise, not for genuine charity. True charity looks beyond temporary relief and seeks the eternal well-being of others.
Cleansing the Inside First
Jesus’ words remind us that our external actions must reflect an interior conversion. By cultivating a heart of mercy, justice, and fidelity, our outward actions will naturally align with God’s law. Cleaning the “inside of the cup” ensures that everything we do, however ordinary it seems, becomes a genuine act of love.
A Reflection for Today
As you go about your day, consider your own actions and motivations. Are they done out of routine, obligation, or the desire to be seen? Or do they flow from a heart transformed by love for God and neighbour? By aligning our intentions with true charity, every small act can become a step toward holiness.
May we strive to act from genuine love, offering not only material help, but the gift of our hearts in service to God’s kingdom.
Love, Mercy, and the Heart of True Charity: Reflection on Matthew 23,23-26
Fr Michael, Carlson, EP
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23,23-26
Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and fidelity. These you should have practiced, without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside may also be clean.”
Focusing on the Essentials
In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to reflect on our priorities. The Pharisees were diligent in fulfilling minor duties, yet they overlooked what was most essential: mercy, charity, and love for their neighbour. Their actions were guided by appearances rather than the true spirit of God’s law.
This reminder is just as relevant for us today. It is easy to perform outward acts of devotion, attend Mass, or even offer help to others, without nurturing our hearts with genuine love for God. True spirituality flows from an interior devotion that shapes every action, not just the visible ones.
Love That Motivates Action
True love for God inspires us to act not for recognition, but for His joy. It calls us to offer sacrifices, to pray with intention, and to help others with a heart focused on their eternal good. Even acts as simple as giving alms or offering a kind word are most meaningful when motivated by love and a desire to serve God.
For example, giving food to someone in need is a good act, but its value increases when it involves personal sacrifice or aims to save a soul. The Pharisees failed because their acts were performed for praise, not for genuine charity. True charity looks beyond temporary relief and seeks the eternal well-being of others.
Cleansing the Inside First
Jesus’ words remind us that our external actions must reflect an interior conversion. By cultivating a heart of mercy, justice, and fidelity, our outward actions will naturally align with God’s law. Cleaning the “inside of the cup” ensures that everything we do, however ordinary it seems, becomes a genuine act of love.
A Reflection for Today
As you go about your day, consider your own actions and motivations. Are they done out of routine, obligation, or the desire to be seen? Or do they flow from a heart transformed by love for God and neighbour? By aligning our intentions with true charity, every small act can become a step toward holiness.
May we strive to act from genuine love, offering not only material help, but the gift of our hearts in service to God’s kingdom.
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