Squeaky Clean

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.  He entered and reclined at table to eat.  The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.  The Lord said to him, "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."

Luke provides a good lesson for today.   We may be well-dressed and concerned about how we look on the outside and to other people, but what counts is our soul – that which makes us accountable to God and to other people.

God made our outsides and our insides, our souls.   What sense does it make for us to fill our insides with hate and envy – that which plunders our minds and hearts making us do evil things such as acts of bigotry or racism?   Are we fools?!

With our faith and through prayer we can wipe our insides clean.   We can be squeaky clean when we give alms – when we are charitable.  It’s the best kind of scrub-brush.

Deacon David Pierce