A Homily on Luke 11:42–46 :About Self-Examination ( 15-10-25)

Once, during a Sunday sermon, a priest spoke strongly about forgiveness. As soon as the Mass was over, a man went home and said to his wife, “That homily was exactly for your brother. He should have been here today!” His wife looked at him quietly and said, “Maybe it was for you too.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks very directly to the Pharisees. He exposes their hypocrisy, their love for outward show, and their neglect of love and justice (Luke 11:42–46). Standing nearby was a lawyer who listened carefully. Feeling uneasy, he said, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also” (Luke 11:45). He was hurt because he thought Jesus’ words were aimed only at the Pharisees. But Jesus turned to him and said, “Woe to you lawyers also!” (Luke 11:46)

The lawyer’s mistake was simple, yet very common. He thought the Word of God was for others, not for him. He heard the truth, but instead of looking inside, he tried to defend himself. This happens to many of us. When the Gospel challenges us, our first reaction is often to think of someone else who needs to hear it. We forget that Jesus is speaking to each one personally.

In the Old Testament, when the prophet Nathan told King David the story of the rich man who stole the poor man’s lamb, David became angry and said, “That man deserves death” (2 Samuel 12:5). Then Nathan said to him, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7). Only then did David realize that the story was about his own sin. He broke down in repentance. That is the difference between David and the lawyer — one humbled himself, the other justified himself.

Saint Augustine once said, “The Word of God is like a mirror; if you only look at others in it, you will never see your own face.” The lawyer looked into the mirror and saw the Pharisees, not himself. And that is why Jesus corrected him with love but also with firmness.

This is something we must remember in our daily lives. When we hear the Word of God, do we let it touch us? Or do we start thinking, “I wish my husband heard this,” or “my superior should listen to this,” or “this is for that sister in the community”? The Gospel is not a stick to hit others. It is a light to see ourselves.

Even in families, this attitude appears. Parents tell children to pray, but they do not ask if their own hearts are at peace with each other. Spouses hear about forgiveness but keep old wounds alive. Religious communities listen to the Gospel every day, yet sometimes the heart remains closed. The Word of God bears fruit only when we let it cut into our own hearts first.

Saint Teresa of Avila often told her nuns that real spiritual growth begins when one stops looking at the faults of others. She said, “Let each one look within, for the Lord walks among the pots and pans of the heart.” True holiness begins there — in humble self-examination.

The lawyer in today’s Gospel teaches us what not to do: do not defend yourself before God’s Word. Let the Word defend itself inside you. When the Lord speaks, He does not accuse to destroy; He reveals to heal. The moment we stop justifying ourselves, grace begins to work.

Let us ask ourselves today: when I listen to God’s Word, do I hear my name in it? Do I allow it to correct me, or do I hide behind excuses? The Lord’s words are never only for “them.” They are always for me.

Lord Jesus, thanks  for speaking to me today