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Gospel Reading for October 23, 2026 – Luke 12: 54-59
RENDERED USELESS
Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
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The scribes and Pharisees interpreted the Laws of God as they saw fit. Jesus described their behavior very well:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (Matthew 23:23).
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to” (Matthew 23:13).
“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:28).
If all of us interpreted laws according to what we wanted or as we saw fit, there would surely be CHAOS, and the law would be RENDERED USELESS.
For Jesus, it is very important that the Law of God be interpreted according to the intent of the One who gave it. Otherwise, the Law of God would be RENDERED USELESS. Since the Law of God is meant to bring peace, order, and happiness into our lives by placing LOVE for God and neighbor above all else, it should not be interpreted otherwise.
Lord Jesus, teach us to love and follow your decrees, knowing that they are the guideposts that will lead us to eternal life. Amen.
