A story is told about Martin Luther by one of his disciples. As I recall it, Melanchthon said that, before his death, Luther told him that the thing he most regretted having to abandon in his Catholic faith was the sacrament of Penance (or Reconciliation today). Why? Because, Luther said, there is no other way under heaven that a person can know God has forgiven them unless they hear it with their human ears. I understand Luther to mean that we are humans, not angels. We need to encounter God in a way that involves our whole human person, body as well as soul.

I am reminded of this story by today's gospel. Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the cup while leaving the inside unclean: that is, for stressing external practices and not the inner spirit. For making the observances of the law an end in themselves, rather than a means to inner transformation. This is what we call "pharisaism" today.

But it is important to note, as Luther realized, that Jesus is not rejecting external practices. These practices are important, since we are human beings and not angels. We should just be sure to strike a proper balance. The external practices (as in the liturgy, lenten fasting, etc.) are helpful precisely insofar as they express and deepen our interior love for the Lord and for His people.