Everything Will Be Clean

While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.”
One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”  Luke 11:37-52 

Trying to stay on top of cleaning in a house full of people, whether adults or children, is often overwhelming.  I am never a great housekeeper but always worried when folks were coming over, how I would be judged. As I have gotten older, I realize that the hospitality I have received at other folks homes has been what is most important. I don't have time to judge how things look, only how things really are.

Jesus was rarely so incensed as when he observed folks judging others rather than examining their own hearts and motivation. Selfishness and judgment really upset him as he knew they were barriers to love, healing and healthy relationships. We are invited to examine our hearts and not worry so much about looks and exteriors. Love is sometimes hidden but never replaced with show.

Today I ask God to help me examine my heart and clean house of any harbored anger, fear or judgement. May we all make room for love by getting rid of prejudice, disdain and anger within.