May the Lord give you grace, peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 11th October 2022. We celebrate the memorial of St John XXIII, Pope, who called the Second Vatican Council. We reflect on Galatians 5:1-6 and Luke 11:37-41.
Cleanliness is next to godliness, we have all heard it umpteen times in our life. It is so important to be clean as to do good.
God is so impressed with our inner cleanliness. How can we make the inner portion clean other than being charitable? We are all at a point to ask a question before God and our conscience: why do we do what we do? What is the motivation behind in all we do especially a particular act of love?
A mere ritualistic and pious attitude does not make us righteous before God. “The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” (Gal.5:6). At times, we live a life of appeasing God by outwardly actions that pacify our consciences. Whatever we do in love cannot have a selfish string underneath attached. Faith without love is merely self-propagation. If our faith does not translate into the actions of love, we need to relook at our faith. It is the intensity of love that makes our faith meaningful and reliable. We need to repeat the psalmist’s prayer: “Lord, let your love come to me.” (Ps.119:41).
Jesus teaches us that almsgiving cleanses our wickedness and greed that is inside. “So, give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.” (Lk.11:41). Generosity of heart brings us closer to God and one another. The power of faith needs to be felt in the aroma of love. May you have a day full of blessings. God bless you.