Contradiction : One who is not clean, asking another to clean who is already clean

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 28th - Tuesday* 

*GOSPEL - Lk 11:37-41*

*First Reading - Rom 1:16-25*

*Contradiction : One who is not clean, asking another to clean who is already clean*

*1) Pharisee and Jesus*

In today's Gospel we have two personalities representing two types of character 

The person of Jesus represent the cleanliness, purity of heart and mind and symbol of Holiness 

The person of Pharisee, represents the image of hypocrisy, duplicity, uncleanliness, self righteousness

*2) The Question of Washing*

According to the Custom of the Jews it was necessary to wash the hands before the meals 

The Pharisee sees Jesus from a ordinary way, which was limited only to external ritualistic way 

So he thinks that by not washing His hands, Jesus committed a blunder according to the Jewish customs 

So the Pharisee was shocked to see Jesus eating without washing His hands 

*3) External Washing and internal washing*

The Pharisee looks at the external washing as a custom to be followed before the meals 

There is no other significance for the Pharisee, in washing the hand. It is only a custom to follow and the hygiene to observe 

Jesus is concerned about the washing of Hearts and minds than the hands 

Jesus speaks about the Spiritual washing and not the physical washing 

Spiritual washing is more important than the physical washing 

*4) Washing of the Heart, Mind and Soul*

This is what Jesus spoke when He mentioned about inside of the Cup. 

In our life, mind, heart, and soul are very important faculties of our life. Since they are important, their cleanliness is also very important

When Heart, mind, and soul is clean, then all other things automatically become clean by itself 

*5) Inside cleanliness is more important than the outside*

When we take a cup, the inside of the cup is directly has contact with us 

If there is some dust outside the cup, it is not a big issues. But the same dust if it is found inside the cup, then it directly goes into our system and it may affect our health 

So uncleanliness of inside of the cup is very dangerous to the health, but outside is not. 

So also the uncleanliness of mind, heart, and soul is more dangerous than the uncleanliness of the hand or legs. 

*6) Jesus is Pure - inside as well as outside*

Jesus is the symbol of perfect purity and there is no stain of impurity in Jesus 

To such a person, the unclean Pharisee is trying to explain and teach the concept of cleanliness. 

This appears to be a contradiction. 

*7) The Pharisee in me*

All of us have this Pharisee in certain level in our life 

Like Pharisee, we who are unclean in mind and heart, trying to tell a good and rather pure person, about cleanliness. 

That is why this is hypocrisy. 

So the question is what is the % of the Pharisee who lives in me?? 

20% 40% 80% or more than that???

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*