Luke 11:42-46 NRSVue

⁴²“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. ⁴³Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

⁴⁵One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us, too.” ⁴⁶And he said, “Woe also to you experts in the law! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them.

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Reflection on Luke 11:42-46

Inspiration from 2025-10-15 Daily Prayer

Jesus castigates the Pharisees for their neglect of justice and the love of God. They are zealous in policing the keeping of their own manmade regulations, but refuse to help others in their difficulties. Charity covers a multitude of sins, and we ask that the Lord keep us mindful of his commandment to love one another.

Further reflection

God may be the God of small things, but not of the small mind and small heart. Jesus rebukes people who get uptight and upset over the small things of religion or for those who want to be honoured for religious ceremony. The religion God looks for is the faith of the heart, and the love that is born of faith and itself gives birth to deeper faith.