Straining out a gnat but swallowing the camel

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty First Week:  Tuesday*

*Gospel :  Mt 23:23-26*

*First Reading : 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3; 14-17*

*Responsorial Psalm : 96: 10-13*

*Straining out a gnat but swallowing the camel*

*1) What does the “gnat” represent?*

The gnat represents the small things that are easy to notice and measure.

In the passage, Jesus refers to the Pharisees carefully giving a tenth of their herbs—mint, dill and cumin. They were meticulous about religious observance.

There is nothing wrong with being faithful in small things. The problem comes when small observances become more important than love, justice and mercy.

*2) What does the “camel” represent?*

The camel represents the things that are much greater and more important in the eyes of God:

Justice

Mercy

Faithfulness

Love

Compassion

Concern for the poor and suffering

Jesus says: “These you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.”

So Jesus is not saying that small religious practices are unnecessary. He is saying that they must never replace the greater demands of love and justice.

*3) Why is this image so powerful?*

Jesus is exposing a danger in religious life: We can become experts in small things while becoming blind to big things.

We may carefully observe religious customs, prayers, rituals and regulations, but fail to ask: “Am I becoming a more loving, merciful and just person?”

It is possible to have perfect religious practice but an imperfect heart.

*4) Deeper Reflections for our Life*

*A) We sometimes strain out gnats and swallow camels*

We may become very particular about: how someone prays, how someone dresses, whether someone follows a particular custom, small mistakes in the Church, other people's faults.

But we may overlook: someone's pain, injustice, poverty, loneliness, our own lack of forgiveness, our own pride.

What are the “gnats” I am constantly noticing in others, while ignoring the “camels” in my own life?

*B) We can be strict with others and gentle with ourselves*

Sometimes we expect perfection from others but make excuses for ourselves.

We say: “He should not have done that.” But when we do something similar: “My situation was different.”

Jesus invites us to examine ourselves before judging others.

A good question to ask: Am I using one standard for others and another standard for myself?

*C) Religious practice must produce a transformed heart*

Prayer, Mass, fasting, confession, devotions and religious observances are important. But they should lead us towards love of God and love of neighbour.

If I pray more but forgive less, something is wrong.

If I attend Mass regularly but remain indifferent to the suffering of others, something is wrong.

If I know many religious teachings but have little compassion, I have missed the heart of the Gospel.

Worship should change the worshipper.

*D) God looks beyond external appearance*

Jesus continues with the image of the outside and inside of the cup.A cup may look beautifully clean from outside while being dirty inside.

Likewise, our external religious appearance can be impressive while our interior life may contain: anger,  jealousy, resentment, pride, selfishness, unforgiveness. 

Jesus asks us to begin from the inside. A clean heart is more important than a clean image.

*E) The greatest commandments cannot be neglected*

The Pharisees were very careful about religious details, but Jesus reminds them of the weightier matters.

This connects strongly with Jesus' teaching elsewhere: Love God and love your neighbour.

The test of authentic faith is not simply: “How many religious things do I do?” but also: “How much love, mercy and justice do these practices produce in me?”

*5) Three questions for personal examination*

What “gnats” do I easily notice in other people?

What “camels” do I fail to notice in myself?

Does my religious practice make me more loving, merciful and faithful?

The real measure of our faith is not merely how carefully we practice religion, but how deeply our religion transforms our heart.

“Small things matter, but big things matter more.”

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*