Tuesday 14^th October – Tuesday of week 28 of the year

Reflection: Luke 11: 37-41

BE OPEN TO GRACE

Through different encounters of Jesus with the Pharisees and other religious leaders in His time, the gospels bring to our awareness the fact that Jesus’ often had to speak against their way of living. Though they were Israel’s leaders and teachers, most of the Pharisees had begun to embrace the law merely as rituals and ceremony rather than looking deep into the meanings of such rituals. In today’s reading, Jesus’ neglect of the ceremonial washing surprised His Pharisee host. In reply, Jesus went on to condemn the external purifications that were devoid of their internal significance.

As Catholics we have Sacraments; which are outward signs of inward grace given to us by Christ. Unlike the rituals prescribed in the Old Testament, the Sacraments are efficacious that is, they bring about what they signify. Hence, in Baptism, water symbolises the cleansing of sin and a new birth in Christ but it does not stop at a symbol, it actually cleanses us from sin and makes us children of God.

Dear friends, as we embrace the Sacraments, especially confession and the Holy Eucharist which we receive repeatedly; let us prepare ourselves for the transformation they bring, open our hearts and minds to the grace they offer us and cooperate with this grace so that our daily lives will reflect the transformation that goes on inside of us.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for the great grace you offer me. Help me to approach you the Sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist often and let the grace I receive strengthen me to live a holy life. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 174 – Why is faith in Jesus Christ not enough? Why does God give us the sacraments, too?

We can and should come to God with all our senses, not just with the intellect. That is why God gives himself to us in earthly signs—especially in bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ.

 HIDE A TREASURE: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in Him” John 6:56 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Galatians 5: 1-6; Psalm 119: 41-48; Luke 11: 37-41