The Lord wants us to be transformed from within. Outward appearances of piety and faithfulness will not cut it. He sees into the depths of our heart, how filial we are and how we strive to be sanctified by Him.
Through His Word and His grace, we are transformed to be His light in the world. We will not allow the wisdom of the world to cloud our minds or affect our decisions in following after the Lord. For He is the way, the truth, and the life.
When we will follow after Him, we will demonstrate His love in all that we say and do. That is how we spread the joy of the Gospel. Amen.
Saint Callistus, Pope, Martyr pray for us…
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First reading
Romans 1:16-25
These people knew God and failed to honour him
I am not ashamed of the Good News: it is the power of God saving all who have faith – Jews first, but Greeks as well – since this is what reveals the justice of God to us: it shows how faith leads to faith, or as scripture says: The upright man finds life through faith.
The anger of God is being revealed from heaven against all the impiety and depravity of men who keep truth imprisoned in their wickedness. For what can be known about God is perfectly plain to them since God himself has made it plain. Ever since God created the world his everlasting power and deity – however invisible – have been there for the mind to see in the things he has made. That is why such people are without excuse: they knew God and yet refused to honour him as God or to thank him; instead, they made nonsense out of logic and their empty minds were darkened. The more they called themselves philosophers, the more stupid they grew, until they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for a worthless imitation, for the image of mortal man, of birds, of quadrupeds and reptiles. That is why God left them to their filthy enjoyments and the practices with which they dishonour their own bodies, since they have given up divine truth for a lie and have worshipped and served creatures instead of the creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen!
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Gospel
Luke 11:37-41
Give thanks for what you have and it will all be clean
Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.’
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