“Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.”

luke 11:39

Luke 11:37-41

Reflection

Jesus dines at a Pharisee’s house. He reclines to eat and does not do the prescribed washing before the meal, which amazes the Pharisee. Jesus tells him that although they cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, inside they are filled with evil and plunder.

How often do we look interiorly? Jesus tells the Pharisee that while his outside is clean, interiorly he is filled with plunder and evil. We, too, might sometimes appear holier than we are. To truly grow in holiness, we need to focus on our interior spiritual life.

Our outward appearance doesn’t matter if our interior doesn’t reflect what we show others. Jesus wants to help cleanse us interiorly so that we can grow both in holiness and relationship with him. Ask the Lord to help you look interiorly today and begin to rid yourself of sins that stop your progress to holiness.

---

Saint of the Day

St. Callistus I: died AD 222

Pope St. Callistus I was the sixteenth pope. During his pontificate, he was known for emphasizing God’s mercy. He was martyred for the faith. St. Callistus, pray for us!