Reflection for Tuesday August 4 Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest: Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Gospel: Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. 

It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 

He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.

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Reflection:

Whom would we prefer: a person who observes the tradition of washing hands before eating a meal, or a person who does not observe this tradition? Naturally, we would prefer the one who observes the tradition.

But what if those who observe the tradition do so only to be seen by others, while no interior cleansing takes place within them? What if those who do not observe the tradition are the ones whose hearts have been purified by God? We would then prefer those whose hearts are clean within, even if they do not practice the external tradition.

Jesus is not against the washing of hands per se. Rather, what He opposes is the mere external display of holiness that is not matched by an interior conversion of the heart. He reminds us that true holiness does not begin with outward appearances but with hearts that are humble, sincere, and transformed by God's grace.

For example, what is the value of our prayers, our attendance at Holy Mass, our novenas, our Rosaries, our acts of charity, and our other religious devotions if they do not lead us to genuine interior transformation? If they do not make us more loving, forgiving, truthful, compassionate, and obedient to God's will, then we have missed their true purpose.

If we continue to do what is wrong while clinging to what is evil, then what is the value of our outward acts of holiness if they are done only for others to see? God is never deceived by outward appearances. He lovingly looks beyond what others can see and searches the deepest intentions of our hearts. He desires not merely religious rituals but hearts that truly belong to Him.

May we, therefore, allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from within so that our words, our actions, and our lives may genuinely reflect the presence of Christ. May our faith never become a performance for human approval but a sincere response of love and gratitude to the God who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally.

Today, let us ask ourselves: Are we more concerned about appearing holy before others, or are we allowing Jesus to transform our hearts day by day? When God looks into the depths of our hearts, will He find merely the appearance of holiness, or will He find hearts that truly love, trust, and follow Him?—Marino J. Dasmarinas