A Pharisee was surprised that Jesus hadn't washed Himself before eating dinner (Lk 11:38). The Pharisees had a complicated series of ablutions they performed before dinner (Lk 11:38), including a ritualistic washing of the fingers using a certain set of motions. Jesus obviously didn't follow their formula.
Though Jesus hadn't washed before dinner, He surely had prayed before dinner. Jesus prayed constantly, often rising early in the morning to pray (Mk 1:35).
Many of us would be ashamed to appear in public without properly washing ourselves. Yet would we be ashamed of the Gospel in public? (see Rm 1:16)
We wouldn't go to a meeting with our boss or a dinner with friends without being all washed up. Would we likewise face a secular world without being all prayed up?
What were the first five things you did this morning? Was one of them washing? Was one of them praying? We too often skip the prayer, but rarely do we skip the washing.
Which is more important?
| PRAYER: | Jesus, You see my insides while the world sees my outside (Lk 11:40). May I care far more about pleasing You than pleasing the world. |
| PROMISE: | "I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God leading everyone who believes in it to salvation." –Rm 1:16 |
| PRAISE: | Rhonda sets her digital alarm to numbers that reflect a favorite scripture citation. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College