Clean Within – Reflection on Luke 11:37-41
The reality of the Christian faith is straightforward: one must unconditionally love God and neighbor. There are no shades of gray as to what this means. Some feel faith means church service once a week, but that thought is insufficient. The alms Christ expresses are not just money but include constant prayer, praise of God, and service to others, otherwise known as the gifts from God of time, talent, and treasure. The result is grace that makes us full of love and faith, creating the feeling of being clean within. The process is circular as grace returns to the surface as warmth from God without any expectation. Grace shields us against distractions of being selfish and unnecessary desires. We become filled with the Holy Spirit’s gift of wonder and awe that replaces the need for goals of grandeur and prestige.
Curses Against the Pharisereplaceses by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Reflections
Luke 11:37-41 – Scripture*
Jesus Denounces Pharisees and Lawyers
37 While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 11:37-41 Reflection – Clean Within.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Luke 11.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Clean Within
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
Other affiliations
