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.
The scribes and the Pharisees were concerned with self-image and with the way others thought of them. But they cultivated a self-image that was in contrast to what was happening in their hearts. We too tend to want others to think well of us. But do we care so much about appearances that we neglect that which is actual? It is one thing if we aren't perfect but are still trying to remain open to the Lord and his mercy. It is another thing if we aren't even worried about what is going on within as long as we can look good on the outside. But is it really so great to have the world convinced that we are wonderful when everything within us is in a state of collapse?
it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person (see Matthew 15:11).
Or, along these lines, we might say that it is not how others see us that truly defiles us. The value of external actions can only truly be measured by internal intentions. And our intentions tend to be a mixed bag. Sometimes we really are motivated by love of God and love of neighbor. But oftentimes disordered love of self gets in the way. But loving ourselves in such a way is akin to dead men's bones, it isn't going to lead us anywhere that lasts, like filling up our barns with grain only to find our lives suddenly demanded of us (see Luke 12:16-21).
Jesus came in order that our hearts could be healed, our intentions rightly directed, our wills strengthened, and our minds enlightened and renewed. He knew that only by starting from the inside could there be lasting and meaningful change.
Only by being established in something greater than ourselves can we hope to avoid the fate of the Pharisees. On our own we will only get some things right some of the time, usually when it is easy and the pressure is low. This is because on our own we lack the gift of grace Jesus came to give us that can truly change our hearts, making us not only want to look as though we are pleasing him, but making us desire to do so in truth. This transformation is not a one time event, but God's work in us over the course of our lives. Our part is to be patient with his process, with ourselves, and to remain open in order to continue to give him room to work. He who was himself raised from death can fill our hearts with life as well.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (see John 10:10).
Building a facade is easy. It is well within our power to create attractive tombs. Building a foundation is more difficult. But a foundation is more necessary. There is only one foundation that can truly last, and Jesus has told us what it is.
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock (see Matthew 7:24).
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (see First Corinthians 3:11).
Let's not waste time on building monuments meant only to misdirect ourselves and others from the healing we still need. How then can we find this healing, or allow Jesus to continue it within us? We can receive his word like the Thessalonians did.
in receiving the word of God from hearing us,
you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.
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