For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading below is a strong reminder to be mindful of the example that I set. The Pharisees were so caught up in scholarly interpretation that they didn't have time for anything else but the criticism of others, not to mention they completely missed the mark on the Love for You and Loving their neighbor. Their nit pickiness superseded everything else so much that they lost sight of You and the Love for humanity. Jesus appeared to be not only angry with the Pharisees, He pretty much appeared to be disgusted by them. So much so that He even compared them to being like graves that aren't even seen. That is profound! Back then having come in contact with a grave made a person unclean for seven days. Basically Jesus was telling them to their face how unclean they were on the inside and outside because of the example they set. Jesus certainly was bold and pulled no punches, nor did He back down in telling it like it is. Not only were the Pharisees filthy in these two ways, they also contaminated those who came in contact with them through their example. Jesus made it clear that the Pharisees were "like graves which are not seen." He was telling them that they were like unmarked graves of dead and decayed people spreading their spiritual decay to others. Ewwwwwwwww!
The scribes and Pharisees had The Ten Commandments torn apart into so many minute laws, rules, regulations and guidelines that they would busy themselves counting with detailed mathematical precision the exact amount to tithe from an itty bitty herbal plant but yet they could not help the needy, sick and infirmed. They were so busy going through their detailed motions that they completely missed the point. They put heavy burdens on others and neglected to show Love, charity and kindness themselves. Father, thank You for this awareness today that I need to be an example of Love and kindness that is real rather than a show of theatrical motion that is meaningless. My desire is to be spiritually contagious in every Good and wonderful way that would glorify You and Your Love for all of us. I firmly believe, that if I do anything remotely right or Good, at any given time, then it came directly from You because if left alone and up to myself, I would be nothing without You. Thank You Father. Thank You!
Through Jesus Christ's Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face. ~Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 11:42-46
42 "But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the Love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
43 Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places.
44 Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it."
45 One of the lawyers answered Him, "Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also."
46 And He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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