Twenty-Eighth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

“Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

It is tempting to get caught up in outward appearances and things of the flesh, but this is not the reason why God put us here. He put us on the earth to love Him freely and wholeheartedly. We cannot do that if we focus on worldly things. Instead, we should focus on the heavenly things we can do, such as praying, almsgiving, and fasting. Also by participating in the mass, not as an obligation, but as a celebration of our faith. In order to be a true disciple of Christ, we need to make God the source, center, and summit of our loves. Then, and only then, will everything be made clean for us.

How can we avoid getting caught up in worldly things? How can we cleanse our hearts, minds, and spirits so that they are ready to receive Christ? Is God the Alpha and Omega of our lives?

O Lord, cleanse us and inspire us to always do good.

Amen.