Mass Readings and Reflection on October 13th 2026

First Reading: (Galatians 5:1–6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119:41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48)

Response: Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.

Alleluia

Hebrews 4:12

Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Luke 11:37–41)

Reflection: 

Several times in the Gospels, Jesus reminds us that what is inside matters more than what is outside. He uses this example about the washing of the cup and how the Pharisee was being critical because Jesus didn't first wash before dinner. Now, we know the importance of being clean and sanitary, but that's not the point here.

He just invited the Son of God into his home. Maybe he didn't recognize him for who he was. But at least he knew that this Jesus from Nazareth was a great preacher, teacher, and miracle worker. This was a holy man! And all he could do was be fixated on the fact that he didn't observe this tradition of washing before sitting down at the table.

Why didn't he notice the good in Jesus, that he had been doing throughout Judea and Galilee? Why didn't he just praise him for being such a great person? Why didn't he just count his blessings for Jesus accepting his invitation to come to his home?

No. He had to be critical and focus on this one little thing. So, what was more important? The fact that Jesus was the Son of God, or that he didn't wash before sitting down at the table?

But let's not be too critical of this Pharisee, because this is exactly how judgmental we can be at times.

We can look at people and say alot about their appearances. We do it all the time. And basically, we should not judge a book by its cover, right? Look at the inside. Look at the inside, the good hearts of people. And good hearts can be found in people of different races, languages, nationalities, cultures, and lifestyles.

How often do we do this?

What does it mean to have clean hands? They should have looked at Jesus, these Pharisees, and said, "He has clean hands, because clean hands are not gained by soap and water."

So, let's learn that lesson from Jesus Christ in our interactions with people. Let's realize that goodness can be found in all sorts of people, no matter how they dress, no matter how they talk, no matter how they walk, whether or not they observe our particular customs of washing our hands.

Look for the good. Jesus always tried to see the good in others. What a shame that this Pharisee couldn't just see the good in Jesus, who was all good, who was the Son of God, come to lead us from darkness into light, from death into life.

Let's not be judgmental. Let's not judge a book by its cover. Let's look inside and recognize always the good.

Oh, I know, the bad can stare us in the face. It's always there. We're not blind.

We should always look for the good in all. Because that should always outweigh any bad.

Amen