First Reading - Galatians 5:1-6
Gospel - Luke 11:37-41
In the first reading, St. Paul reminds the Galatians that Christ has set them free. They must not return to a form of religious slavery in which they believe their relationship with God depends on fulfilling certain external requirements. Paul explains that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is what ultimately matters, but “faith working through love.”
In other words, faith is not simply about what we profess or which religious practices we observe. Genuine faith must become visible in the way we love God and our neighbour. Our relationship with Christ should change how we treat people, how we speak, how we forgive, and how we respond to those who need us.
The Gospel gives us a concrete example. A Pharisee invites Jesus to dine with him but is astonished when Jesus does not first wash before the meal. Jesus uses this occasion to expose a deeper problem. The Pharisees are careful about external cleanliness, but Jesus says that the inside is full of greed and wickedness.
Jesus is not teaching that outward practices are unimportant. Rather, he challenges the idea that outward observance alone makes a person righteous. A person can appear religious on the outside while carrying resentment, pride, selfishness, or contempt for others in the heart.
That is why Jesus says, “Give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.” His words invite us to a conversion that reaches the heart. Instead of concentrating only on appearances, we must become generous, compassionate, and willing to share what we have with others.
Here the two readings come together beautifully. Paul says that faith works through love; Jesus teaches that a purified heart expresses itself in generosity. True faith is not merely something we keep within ourselves or display through religious observances. It becomes concrete in acts of love.
We may attend Mass regularly, pray the Rosary, observe religious traditions, and know many prayers. These are valuable expressions of faith. But we must also ask ourselves: Has my prayer made me more patient? Has my participation in the Eucharist made me more compassionate? Has my knowledge of God's Word made me less judgmental and more willing to forgive?
If our religious practices do not gradually transform our hearts, we need to examine how deeply we are allowing Christ to work within us.
The same challenge applies to our relationships. It is easy to criticize others for their outward behaviour while ignoring the pride or resentment within ourselves. It is easy to maintain a respectable appearance while refusing to help someone in need. Jesus invites us to look honestly within and allow God's grace to purify our intentions.
Today, let us remember Paul's words: “The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” Let our faith be seen not only in the prayers we say, but also in the kindness we show, the forgiveness we offer, and the generosity with which we share our time and resources.
May the Lord cleanse our hearts from everything that separates us from him and from one another. Then our outward religious life will become the genuine expression of an inward conversion, and our faith will bear fruit in love.
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