Clean the Inside

"Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well."
Mt.23:26

Jesus is is weighing in to the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, leaders drawing others in the wrong direction like blind guides. Their focus is on appearances rather than on the heart.

The Kingdom of God is so different to the world. It is small, weak in appearance and interior. But when it works its way out, wow! It changes everything. And the only way it can work is from the inside out, not from the outside in. It cannot be enforced by external law. It comes from a change of heart, from cleaning the inside of the cup.

I find when my cup is clean on the inside from daily prayer, from receiving the sacraments, I sin less. When my prayer-life is weak, I sin more. Funny that. I need to recommit to morning prayer, to cleaning the inside of my cup. Then the outside will take care of itself.

Lord Jesus, you know my tendency to focus more on the outside. Help me clean the inside of my cup that I may become a more authentic witness for you.

Little Flower, please pray for me.