Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years.
- First Reading (Cycle 1) - Romans 1:16-25: The Gospel is powerful for the salvation of believers, revealing God's righteousness. God's wrath is aimed at those who reject evident truths about Him, leading to their own downfall. Despite claiming wisdom, they became foolish, worshiping creatures over the Creator.
- First Reading (Cycle 2) - Galatians 5:1-6: Christ freed us, so don't return to legalistic slavery. Circumcision obliges you to follow the entire law, separating you from grace. What counts is faith expressing itself through love.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 19: The heavens and the firmament announce God's glory. Day and night convey knowledge, and their message is heard throughout the earth and the world's ends.
- Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 119: Let God's mercy and salvation come according to His promise. The word of truth is my hope, and I will always follow His law. I find freedom and joy in His commands.
- Gospel - Luke 11:37-41: Jesus dines with a Pharisee and doesn't wash before eating. Jesus criticizes the Pharisee for focusing on external cleanliness while neglecting inner morality. He advises giving alms for true cleanliness.
Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
- External vs. Internal: A Pharisee criticizes Jesus for not washing before a meal, but Jesus counters by emphasizing internal purity over external rituals. This theme highlights the contrast between outward appearances and inward realities.
- Spiritual Hygiene: Jesus advises the Pharisee to give alms as a way to clean the inside. This theme emphasizes that genuine acts of charity can be a form of spiritual purification.
- Critical of Legalism: Jesus reproaches the Pharisees for their strict adherence to ritualistic laws while neglecting justice and love. This theme focuses on the shortcomings of legalistic piety.
Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
Luke 11:39
Thoughts
In the gospel for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 11:37-41, Jesus criticizes Pharisees for failing to see what is important. They were concerned with appearing completely observant, but they missed the heart of the law. Their devotion lacked authenticity.
In this passage, Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee and criticizes the host for being concerned only with the external cleanliness of cups and dishes, rather than the inner cleanliness of the heart. Jesus calls for almsgiving as a way to clean the inside.
Much like the Pharisee, society today often emphasizes outward appearances. Social media, for example, is rife with curated images that show people, causes, or lifestyles in the best light possible, sometimes glossing over the realities or complexities beneath the surface.
It's easy to get caught up in the ritualistic aspects of religion or social expectations while ignoring the core ethical and moral guidelines. Jesus's admonition to the Pharisee is a call to remember what truly counts: the state of our hearts and minds.
Our spiritual observances can turn into opportunities to appear "good" and gain esteem in the eyes of other Christians. When this happens, we are serving ourselves instead of God. This is where the Pharisees went wrong. They wanted to follow the law, but their focus was often on appearing pious, rather than knowing the heart of God.
Jesus suggests almsgiving as a method to purify oneself internally. It's more than just giving money; it's an act of compassion, kindness, and understanding. It serves as a way to check our priorities, ensuring we're not accumulating wealth or status at the expense of our moral integrity.
The lesson here is straightforward. Instead of focusing solely on external practices or how we're perceived, let's prioritize inner virtues like honesty, compassion, and justice. Acts like almsgiving are not just ritualistic tasks but are practical ways to align our inner selves with outward actions.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to seek to authenticity in my life. Let me not seek to gain the good opinion of others in my spiritual life. Keep my focus on doing your will. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Word On Fire: Almsgiving and Compassion
In this reflection for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron focuses on the importance of almsgiving as emphasized in the Gospel, drawing upon past teachings of saints and popes. According to Bishop Barron, once basic needs are met, remaining resources should be considered as belonging to the less fortunate. He stresses that this idea is deeply rooted in the biblical prophets who were vocal about compassion for the poor. The underlying message is that genuine love for God is inherently linked to compassion for one's neighbors, particularly those in need.
USCCB Reflection: Authenticity in Christianity
In this USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, the discussion centers on a story where Jesus dines at a Pharisee's home and breaks some traditional cleanliness rules. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for getting lost in small details and forgetting the larger moral concerns, like how they treat others. We must not to lose perspective and forget to focus on important aspects like charity. Being generous, either through giving alms or loving service, can bring authenticity back to religious practice. The talk encourages us to not just focus on external rituals but to live genuinely and kindly.
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