MATTHEW 23:23-26 WHAT IS HIDDEN IN THE HEART?

Year A, Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, Jesus challenges the scribes and Pharisees because they are very careful about external religious practices but neglect what matters more: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He tells them, “These you should have done, without neglecting the others.” Jesus is not asking us to abandon religious practices; He is reminding us that our outward actions must flow from a heart that truly belongs to God.

It is possible to look very religious on the outside while something very different is happening within us. We can attend Mass, say our prayers, serve in the Church, and still carry resentment, pride, jealousy, or an unwillingness to forgive. Jesus' image of cleaning the outside of the cup is a powerful reminder that God is interested not only in what others see but in who we are when nobody is watching. Our faith becomes authentic when our prayer changes the way we treat people, especially those who cannot give us anything in return.

Perhaps today's Gospel invites us to ask ourselves: If Jesus could see completely inside my heart today, what would He find? We cannot transform ourselves simply by looking better on the outside. We need to allow Christ to clean the inside—to heal our wounds, purify our intentions, and teach us to love more sincerely. Let us not settle for appearing good; let us ask for the grace to become good from within. When the heart is transformed by Christ, our outward actions will naturally begin to reflect the person He is calling us to be.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler