Maymay sa Magbalantay

“In the Gospel, the Pharisees complain to Jesus because His disciples do not observe the ritual washing of hands.

For them, this was a big religious violation.

But Jesus responds with words that go straight to the heart: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

The issue was not dirty hands. The issue was distant hearts. And this is still very relevant to us today.

Because sometimes, we can be very good inside the church, but very different outside the church.

As a reminder for all of us: Faith is not only what we do in church. Faith is what we do after church.

1. We can be religious… but not converted.

The Pharisees were very religious. They followed traditions carefully. They knew the rules by heart.

But Jesus says their hearts were far from God.

Today, we can attend Mass every Sunday, pray novenas and rosaries, join processions and devotions and yet remain unchanged inside.

Because faith is not first about practices.

Faith is about transformation.

God is not impressed by routine.

God looks for a converted heart.

2. We sometimes prioritize rituals over relationships.

Jesus says: “You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

Sometimes, we are very strict with religious practices, but very weak in living out God’s commandments.

We are careful with rituals, but careless with kindness.

We are faithful in prayer, but unfaithful in forgiveness.

We behave well in church, but hurt people at home.

That is why this line is very important for us to remember:

Faith is not only what we do in church.

Faith is what we do after church.

Because the real test of faith begins when Mass ends.

3. The heart is the true place of worship.

The problem was never about washing hands. It was about cleansing the heart.

God looks not at our hands, but at our intentions.

Not at our lips, but at our attitudes.

Not at our appearance, but at our inner life.

A clean heart is more important than clean hands.

Jesus is reminding us today: Do not let your faith remain inside the church building.

Bring it to your home.

Bring it to your workplace.

Bring it to your relationships.

Because in the end, God is not asking how religious we looked…

He will ask how loving we became.

Faith is not only what we do in church.

Faith is what we do after church.”