Reflection for 10/17/17

There are those who argue that the externals of worship are extremely important.  In fact, some people go as far as to “show off” their faith by over-exaggerating their prayer or their movements to ensure that other people will see.  On the other hand, there are those who would argue that the externals are not important at all.  They would say, “All that is important is what is in your heart.”

 

Both sides have an element of truth and an element of error at work in their philosophies.  On the one hand, externals are important, but they are not the most important aspect of worship.  On the other hand, what is inside a person’s heart is important, as well, but it is not the only thing to take into account when one worships.  The Church is always one of moderation or balance.  The wisdom of the Church is to take the middle ground.  Indeed, externals are important but what is inside one’s heart is also important.  It is not an either or, rather it is a both and.

 

In this regard, the Church is in the company of her Savior.  Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Oh you Pharisees!  Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.”  We cannot only seek to fulfill the externals of worship, that is to be seen in prayer by others, while neglecting our interior selves.  What is in our hearts can spoil any good action—no matter how pious or virtuous it may appear.

 

Our Lord advises us to “give alms,” and all will be clean.  In essence, he is calling us to have a generous spirit when it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  The Pharisees were all about fulfilling the prescripts of the law; however, they were not necessarily concerned about the needs of the neighbors around them.  In essence, their hardness of hearts towards their brothers and sisters made all things unclean for them.  As Christians, we are called to have a fundamental option for the poor.  We cannot neglect the needs of those around us.  Just because we fulfill the law of worship by attending Mass does not make us prefect in the sight of God; for as St. Paul tells us, “Anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.”  That is to say, anyone who neglects the needs of his or her fellow human being—the Mystical Body of Christ on earth—eats and drinks judgment on oneself.  We must seek a generosity of heart with our brothers and sisters in Christ in addition to our pious actions and our external prayerfulness, and then our worship will be truly pleasing in the sight of God.