8 August, 2023 | Memorial of Saint Dominic (de Guzman) , Priest and Doctor of the Church

 Gospel Mt 15: 1-2 , 10-14

Help those who help others

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,

"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?

They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal."

He summoned the crowd and said to them, "Hear and understand.

It is not what enters one's mouth that defiles the man;

but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one."

Then his disciples approached and said to him,

"Do you know that the Pharisees took offense

when they heard what you said?"

He said in reply, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted

will be uprooted.

Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.

If a blind man leads a blind man,

both will fall into a pit."

Reflections:

The scribes and Pharisees took meticulous care of the laws and rituals. They fulfilled the obligations faithfully without any mistake. Therefore the external concern became the priority for them. No matter how much care we take to beautify the external, if the internal is not taken care then it becomes mere superficial. The Gospel of today focuses on the internal aspect which needs to be taken care more than the external. The practices of the rituals needs to go along with the internal disposition, else the practices of our faith becomes only ritualism. God looks at our heart that is disposed for Him and a heart filled with goodness. 

Activity:

 Be aware yourself and try not to be negative.