Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 14, 2025

Date: Tuesday of the 28^th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Luke 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

This short, little known passage from the Gospel of Luke is a reminder to us that we are called to be people of loving relationships with our LORD and one another not zealots for religious checklists. Jesus’ message to us is to seek true purity of heart and holiness through acts of loving charity and to quit focusing on externals done so others can see.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Is my faith genuine or am I doing what I do to impress others? Is love my motive or is approval of others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Creator, You know me better than I know myself, for You are all-seeing and all-knowing. Unlike me, You see what is rather than what I want others to see. Send your Spirit to rouse within me the authentic and sincere desire to live into the person You created me to be, inside and out. Grant that I may more closely follow the teachings and examples of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who not only showed us the way but is “the way and the truth and the life.” Give me the grace, I pray, to do what He commanded, to deny myself, pick up my cross, and follow Him. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.