Today’s Catholic Reflection
In Galatians, Paul speaks to the believers freedom found in Christ. He cautions them against returning to old practices, especially circumcision, which could distance them from grace. Paul insists that true righteousness is rooted in faith in Jesus, not in following the law. He tells them that both circumcision and uncircumcision do not matter. What counts is faith that is shown through love.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shares a meal with a Pharisee who notices that Jesus does not wash his hands before eating. Jesus responds by highlighting that while the Pharisees are concerned with outward cleanliness, their hearts harbor wrongdoing. He encourages them to seek inner purity through acts of charity. True cleanliness, He suggests, comes from within, not from external rituals.