Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 28th Week in Ordinary time – Tuesday– Luke 11:37-41

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Tuesday of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time is Luke 11:37-41.

After chastising the crowds for being “an evil and adulterous generation” and exhorting them to seek holiness that lights the body, Christ is invited to dine with a a Pharisee at his home. Aware of the Pharisees’ rejection of His Gospel and their corrupt hypocrisy, Christ knows the Pharisee is seeking to trap Him in some legal error.

Christ does not ritually wash His hands prior to the meal in opposition to the strict legalistic (not hygienic) ritual of the Pharisees; this is purposefully provocative, for Christ is not seeking to avoid the Pharisees’ traps but is there to denounce their sinfulness and man-made rituals. When the Pharisee reacts with inner condemnation because Christ did not wash His hands, He begins a scathing rebuke targeted at the scribes and Pharisees.

Christ indicts the Pharisees’ attempts to adhere to outer acts of piety (clean the outside of the cup) while evilly plotting in their hearts to steal (rapacity/greed, extortion). Spectacularly impolite, Christ calls the Pharisees “fools” for their ignorance of God’s gift of the soul and the need for inner holiness. Christ directs the Pharisees to unselfishly give alms to the poor in penance for one’s sinful thoughts and deeds to become pure of heart.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ has knowledge of the hidden inner thoughts of the Pharisees.  Divine King, Christ denounces the Pharisees in strong terms, calling them extortionists, wicked and fools. Divine Teacher, Christ gives definitive critique of the failures of the Pharisees and right practice, using memorable imagery (the dirty cup).

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Reflect on Christ’s manly combative nature to confront evil and His willingness to use scathing words that combine both accusation and humor.

2) Christ does not condemn the importance of Sacramentals; rather, He condemns the Pharisees’ lack of love. Renew your understanding of Sacramentals (CCC 1667-1673, 1677-1678) and pray for Christ to help you to make use of Sacramentals (blessings with the Sign of the Cross, Holy Water, laying on of hands) to offer blessings to your spouse, children and others.

3) Christ also does not condemn acts of popular piety. Renew your understanding of Popular Piety (CCC 1674-1676, 1679) and pray for Christ to help build a consistent practice of praying the Rosary and to develop a deep devotion to St. Joseph, adding the Prayer to St. Joseph to your Rosary  (see the Encyclical, Quamquam Pluries).

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Guardian Angels

Virtue of the Day – Justice

Corporal Work of Mercy – To clothe the naked

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To counsel the doubtful