Builders

We all know we’re not perfect.

We all have interior problems.

Interior shortcomings and defects.

We all know we don’t fully measure up to what God wants us to be.

And we all know that it’s what inside that really counts.

So, how can we become clean inside?

How can we become righteous?

St Paul tells the Galatians—and us—that it’s not through the law.

That is, it’s not through obsession with every minor rule and ritual.

But only by faith working through love.

Paul was echoing  Jesus’ similar message to the Pharisees—and us.

Don’t focus on the external.

Don’t neglect the critically important while you obsess with the minutia.

And what’s critically important is:

Give alms and everything will be clean for you.

It's not the minutia of the law.

It's love of neighbor—and, through that, love of God.

Give alms—that’s the proof of caring, the proof of love.

Let’s give our precious dollars to those who need them.

But alms aren’t limited to just dollars or material goods.

Let’s give our precious time to those who need it.

Let’s give our precious talent to those who need it.

And let’s give respect always to everyone.

Let’s give mercy when it's needed.

Today, disrespect for each other—and for truth—is rampant.

Look at the state of our political discourse.

Look at the hate and lies people post in anti-social media.

Jesus came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father.

He said, Blessed are the peacemakers.

He said, Love one another as I have loved you.

He established the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

But he left it to us to continue building that kingdom.

We’re really needed out there.

Let’s be builders.

Tuesday, 28th Week of Ordinary Time

Lk 11:37-41   Read this Scripture @usccb.org