A Faith that Flows from Within
Gospel Reflection for Tuesday, Oct. 14th, 2025 - Luke 11:37-41
Today we see a stern conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee. Having invited Jesus to a meal, the Pharisee is quick to notice that Jesus is not observing the law, to which we see a swift response from our Lord. Rebuking this Pharisee’s lack of interior life, their hypocrisy, and their lack of love for the Lord, as Jesus points out just one verse later in Luke (Lk 11:42).
His response “Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?”
Very clearly we see what Jesus is stating here, that while the Pharisees are busily working to make themselves appear righteous, and clean to the outside world, they are not being diligent to care for their spiritual lives. They have lost sight of the “why” behind what they do.
In so many ways we can find ourselves in this exact situation. We can be overly focused on what we need to do, how we need to do it, and what others perceive us to be doing that we lose sight of something greater - God’s gentle call in our lives.
“Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?”
This question alludes to a kind of intimacy few of us can fathom. How intricate and detailed is our world? Yet how much more so is the interior of our lives, how complex, rich, and meaningful. Our Lord knows each of us completely, intimately, uniquely and fully, for He created us.
Today’s Gospel highlights the folly of an exterior life for its own sake and draws our attention to the need to cultivate our hearts and souls for the Lord. To allow His gentle call to permeate all that we do so that He may be glorified by both the exterior and interior life working together. To remember the “why” behind our actions, and to orient our lives to be in full relationship with God, both inside and out.
After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
Just so, spot on!!!