August 25, 2020
Tuesday for the Twenty-First Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Louis, King—Memorial wey no be obligation
Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest—Memorial wey no be obligation
Listen for English
“Wahala for una, scribes and Pharisees, una hypocrites. Una dey clean the outside of cup and plate, but inside, dem full with wetin una loot and enjoyment wey no get control. Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside too fit clean.” Matthew 23:25-26
Even though these words wey Jesus talk straight fit sound harsh, dem really be words of mercy. Dem be words of mercy because Jesus dey go far to help the Pharisees understand say dem need to repent and clean their hearts. Even though the first message, “Wahala for una,” fit quickly catch our attention, the real message wey we suppose hear na “first clean the inside.”
Wetin this passage dey show na say person fit dey for one of two conditions. First, e possible make person inside full with “wetin e loot and enjoyment wey no get control,” while the outside dey look clean and holy at the same time. Na this be the Pharisees their problem. Dem care well-well about how dem look for outside, but dem no too care about their inside. This na problem.
Second, Jesus words dey show say the best thing na to start by cleaning the inside. Once that one happen, the result go be say the outside too go clean and shine. Think about the person wey dey for this second condition, the person wey first clean for inside. This person dey inspire others, and im soul dey beautiful. And the beautiful thing be say when person heart truly clean and pure, this beauty for inside no fit remain hidden inside. E must shine come out, and other people go notice am.
Today, reflect on how easily the beauty of your inner life dey shine come out. Other people dey see am? Your heart dey shine come out? You dey shine? If no be so, maybe you too need to hear these words wey Jesus tell the Pharisees. You too fit need correction wey come from love and mercy, so that e go move you to allow Jesus enter your heart and work with power to clean am.
Lord, abeg, come into my heart and clean me finish. Make me pure, and let that purity and holiness shine come out for my outside life. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saints for Today –
Saint Louis, King
Na so too
Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest
Image: Curses Against the Pharisees wey James Tissot paint
_-_James_Tissot.jpg){kind=link}