23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! 25"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. 26You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
The reading encourages us to identify what is important and give attention to that. It calls out “justice, mercy and faith”. Add to that “love”, “compassion”, “forgiveness”... If our practices take us away from these value positions, they are taking us away from God. Jesus tells us this in numerous parables. Where there good there is God. Don’t allow the rules or the law from preventing you from doing good. Perhaps a starker warning is do not hid behind the law to avoid the real cross we are called to carry. Loving God, open my heart to your word. Grant me the strength to carry your cross no matter what it’s weight. Give me the courage and the integrity to walk away from rules and mores that justify me taking the easy way out when the real call is being ignored. Amen.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou've effectively identified the central theme of the passage: the importance of prioritizing the essential elements of faith.
You've connected the passage to the broader message of following Christ and living a life of love and service.
You've expressed a desire to live a life that aligns with God's values.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've focused on the importance of prioritizing essential values, the passage also emphasizes the dangers of legalism and hypocrisy. Exploring this aspect further could enrich your reflection.
The concept of "the real cross" could be explored in more detail. What does it mean to carry the cross in today's world?
You might consider the implications of the passage for understanding the nature of true righteousness.
Additional Thoughts:
The passage could be seen as a call to examine our own motivations and priorities. Are we primarily concerned with following rules or with living a life of love and justice?
The image of the Pharisees as "strainers out a gnat but swallowing a camel" is a powerful symbol of hypocrisy. How can we avoid this trap in our own lives?
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.