28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

As to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you. 

A Pharisee invited Jesus to his home for dinner but was scandalized when Jesus failed to observe the prescribed hand-washing ritual. Jesus responded with some harsh words—something you wouldn’t ordinarily expect from an invited houseguest! But it didn’t matter to Jesus; he was trying to drive home a point. He wanted his disciples, and all those listening, to understand what true piety consists of. It’s more than outward actions; it has to do with the state our hearts as well. And in order to purify our hearts, Jesus said, we should give alms.

But how does giving alms make us “clean” (Luke 11:41)? Let’s consider the Pharisees’ situation. If they had taken Jesus’ words to heart, it would have altered their focus. Instead of criticizing Jesus for not following the letter of the law, they would have focused on the needs of the people around them. Their vision would have expanded beyond rules and regulations to the heart of the law. While still observing Jewish law, they could have made themselves even more “clean” by pouring themselves out for the poor and needy.

The same is true for us. When we give alms—whether it’s our time, our energy, or our money—we can approach it as a way of handing over to God something that is precious to us. If we come to Jesus with a generous willingness to give over to him what is ours, we might be surprised at what happens within us. Perhaps we will experience a new freedom to see our world and the people around us with the eyes of Christ. This new vision will move us to be more generous toward the people we encounter at work, in our neighborhoods, and even within our own families. And this new freedom will prompt us to follow Jesus more closely so that we can better do what he is asking of us.

Today, let’s ask the Lord to grant us the willingness to give alms cheerfully and eagerly so that we might step into this new freedom with him.

“Jesus, help me to focus on the people who need my help. Cleanse my heart so that I can experience a new freedom in you.”

Romans 1:16-25
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 11:37-41

WORD AMONG US