Moral Content of Religion!

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Gal 5:1-6; Lk 11:37-41

Today’s Gospel highlights the moral content of religion. 

The text describes that the Pharisee who invited Jesus was observing him closely rather than keeping himself busy with being a good host. 

In this case, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his house behaves like any other Pharisee who was around Jesus only to find fault with him. 

As a result, the Pharisee’s goodness to invite Jesus stands eclipsed by his act of finding fault with him. 

It is to such self-righteous Pharisees that Jesus directs his instruction. 

The gist of Jesus’ argument is that externals do not make a religion. Nor is the one who is exceedingly concerned about the externals a believer. 

Let us closely read the Gospel to observe the differences between Jesus and the Pharisee. 

The Pharisee is concerned about ritual ablution. Jesus is concerned about sacred purification. 

The Pharisee is worried about the cleanliness of Jesus’ hands; Jesus is worried about the holiness of his heart. 

The Pharisee worships the laws; Jesus is turning his attention to God in the suffering humanity. 

When the Pharisees are lying to themselves that the moral content of Judaism is the laws and commandments, Jesus helps them see that humanity that leads to God is the true religion. 

Jesus does not merely replace cleansing the body with giving alms. He mandates charity as against meaningless ritualism and legalism. 

Let us pray that we may discern the moral content of Christianity and practice it faithfully. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar