Daily Gospel Reflection for October 17, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 11:47-54

Someone might say Jesus went a little overboard in the way He denounced the Pharisees in these "woes." In yesterday's Gospel, the Pharisees got scolded about tithing mint, and in today's they get charged with the blood of all the prophets.

What was He trying to tell them? Their scrupulosity had gotten out of hand, to the extent that they were wondering if mint could be considered a food. They were trying to dazzle others with their knowledge of the laws about tombs. The Pharisees tried to impress others with their knowledge of the law and why the people should follow them, and they missed the whole point. Jesus, the very One who would fulfill the law, was in their midst.

Sometimes it might be easy for us to get caught in the same trap. We can get so busy doing things FOR God that we forget to be WITH God We try to rationalize our behavior with thoughts like, "I'll pray the Rosary on the way to the game instead of going to Mass. I'm sure God won't mind."

One day, instead of hearing "woe," we may hear the word "whoa" and know it's time to stop. We need to realize that we are human beings and not human doings. Each one of us is the object of God's full attention. If we would only stop looking for loopholes and start looking at His gaze.

Soon we will enter the season of Advent, when it is so easy to fall into the Pharisee trap. Between baking, parties, wrapping, and making sure all of the family traditions are done properly, ask God how you can prepare spiritually to enter into the kind of season He is calling You to.

Ponder:

Are there any areas of your life where you’ve become scrupulous? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you replace them with knowing that God’s presence and mercy are what matter most.