From the Inside Out

8/23/2016

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Matthew 23:23-26

Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.”

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

For anyone who thinks Jesus is all about hugging lambs and chasing butterflies, I dare you to take today's reading to heart. Christianity has been distorted in our culture, and we often think that Jesus was a total softie who only spoke words of positive encouragement.

But true love is better than that, which what Jesus has for us today. He challenges us to be transformed from the inside out.

"You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence." In the very next verse, Jesus goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth." So basically He's saying, "Yeah, you put on a good show. You act all holy. But you're basically dead inside."

Ouch.

Jesus wasn't saying this to be mean. Believe it or not, He said it out of love for the scribes and Pharisees (although, truthfully, He was probably pretty frustrated with them, too). He says the same thing to us: convert your hearts! Instead of acting holy on the outside, He calls us to be transformed on the inside first.

Do we just act holy? Do we just do holy things? Do we try to rack up enough God-points so we can feel good about ourselves? Do we pray lots of rosaries and chaplets and other prayers... but stop there?

My life is marked by this struggle. In junior high I remember a priest coming in to talk to our class, asking if any of us boys felt that we might be called to the priesthood. I raised my hand, seriously considering giving my life to the Lord in this way. And then during recess a couple friends and I cornered the new girl in our class and made fun of her relentlessly. She eventually left the school. Then in high school I was on our church's Peer Ministry Team, preaching the importance of holiness and purity. And at the same time, I was in an impure relationship for an entire year.

Let's strive to not just act holy, but to convert our hearts. Then, as our hearts turn more and more to the Lord, our faith will transform our lives. In this way, we will be transformed from the inside out.

"Cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean."

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

Re-read Jesus' words, but insert your own name. It's hard to hear, but open your heart in humility to Him: “Woe to you, YOUR NAME, you hypocrite. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside you are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind YOUR NAME, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

In what ways do you act holy, but your heart hasn't been converted yet. How have you been hypocritical?

Have an honest conversation with the Lord about your heart. How is He calling you to be transformed from the inside out?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

"Cleanse first the inside of the cup."

"Transform me from the inside out, Lord."

"Change my heart, O God."

For the Rest of Your Day...

Try to recognize the way's you've been acting holy. You don't have to stop those things, just try to stir your heart with zeal for the Lord. Do those things with your heart.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Dan Wolff.

CARPE VERBUM