Commentary on the Gospel of

Fr. Johnson Joseph Thurackal CMF

Pharisees did many very good acts like giving to the temple, to the poor, and observing laws. The problem, according to the Evangelist, was not what they did, but why they did them.  They wanted to look righteous before people and it made them hypocrites. It was an outward expression of empty lives. That vacuum tried to inflate itself with ego, desire for admiration, and praise by people. Cleansing outside is only for the eyes of the people. Cleansing inside shows the concern about how God sees and what God thinks about them. To render oneself beautiful in the sight of God is a challenge. It needs a cleansing inside out. 

It is worth reflecting if Jesus is calling out the Pharisees among us today who  may look like white-washed tombs, beautiful to look at from the outside, but within full of all kinds of unholy things. Many of us put on an appearance that gains us momentary name and fame. Are our prayers raised in order to be seen and gain earthly profits or do we aim at the lasting gain? Are our actions for the eyes of the world or for God’s eyes? These days of Pandemic are full of trumpeted alms giving to draw the attention! The Gospel challenges us to think if our words and actions are Pharisaic or our life matches the faith that we profess.

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