Father God, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow…

 
Matthew 23:13-28 & Psalm 51

 
Life happens and becoming soiled, whether it be inside or outside, is the result. And Bright Whites – that’s the sign of a good laundry experience! We all need cleaning up whether we are Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’ day or common folk of the twenty-first century.  The question is, how will we handle cleaning up all the mud life slings at us, and the rot and decay that builds up interiorly in our hearts, minds and souls as we process the challenges and hurts of our life journeys. With six volleys of  Woe are you… directed at the religious leaders of the day, Jesus outlined the various ways that human beings attempt to clean themselves up: adopting religious signs and symbols, projecting a ‘good’ image, dressing the part, performing rituals despite interior truths nagging at their consciences, bringing attention to their piety and badgering others to follow them.  In the end, Jesus accused them of white-washing themselves, that is, mixing up builders’ lime with chalk, egg whites and water.  White-washing is one way to do personal laundry; just dip the brush in the pail and slap it on, let it dry, and it’s white all right! But the Psalmist has it right – Wash me, Lord, and I shall be whiter than snow.  It is only our Creator God who can restore our hearts and souls – and minds – to their original bright beauty; and it is by humbly paying attention to the truths of our hearts that we are able to pray God to do our life’s soiled laundry in His way.  Am I intent on white-washing my life with earthly ingredients and outward shows of piety? Or will I, like King David, with humility ask the Lord in his compassion to purify me and wash away my iniquity?  Father God, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.   
 
Indeed you love truth in the heart. In the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. (Psalm 51:5)
 
Look for Christ and you will find him.  And in Him, everything else.
C. S. Lewis
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook &www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca