“You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” (Lk 11:52)

In today’s gospel from Luke, Jesus denounces the Pharisees and the scholars of the Law calling them hypocrites. They twist the law, using it as a weapon to attack him and others while using it for their own justification. They interpret the law, placing restrictions upon others, so that the average person can never keep all the laws. Yet they themselves do not follow these laws. “You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” (Lk 11:52) And, they present God as a severe judge, and in the name of God they impose laws and norms which have nothing to do with the commandments of God. Jesus points out that their legalism is far removed from the love of God. God is not an attorney planning to prove us guilty. He looks into our hearts and He loves us as his children. This is what the Pharisees and scribes fail to grasp and why they can’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  

Are we sometimes guilty of being legalistic in our reasoning in judging others? Should we instead being trying to look into the hearts of others with mercy and compassion?  Spend some time today reflecting on how we can share Jesus’ message of love with others.

 

Deacon Joe Trevino

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX