GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 13TH OCTOBER 2016
THURSDAY OF THE 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Ephesians 1:1-10
PSALM: Psalm 98:1-6
GOSPEL: Luke 11:47-54
THEME: BE GENUINE
Jesus had been invited for a meal by a Pharisee and it appears that other Pharisees and scholars of the law were also present for the dinner. Perhaps, one would have expected Jesus to eat and go home quietly. However, the aroma of the food did not prevent him from giving his host and audience enough food for thought.
We read in the concluding verse of today’s Gospel text, “When he left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, lying in wait to catch him out in something he might say” (Lk. 11:53-54).
The denunciation of the Pharisees and scholars by Jesus was an expression of his distaste for hypocrisy. He found in quite a number of them a life of double standard and he just could not tolerate it. Religion had become for them an external practice with no internal transformation leading to holiness.
Hypocrisy is a threefold sin against truth. It is refusing to be true to oneself, God and others. A hypocrite lives a life that is not authentic. In sum, a hypocrite is a pretender.
The lambasting of the Pharisees and scholars of the law by Jesus is a wake-up call to each one of us. The attitude of the Lord towards hypocrisy has not changed. He still frowns on it. If we want to be Christians, let us be true Christians, i.e. followers of Christ. Christs sends us forth to be light for the world and not shadows. Our generation needs genuine believers. Can Jesus count on you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, change my heart. Take away from me falsehood and give me a heart that is authentic.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).