The following is based on a true story which happened at the 1976 Special Olympics in Seattle, Washington.
“Nine contestants lined up at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the sound of the starting gun, they all started off in their own way, making their best effort to run down the track toward the finish line. That is, except for the one young boy who stumbled soon after his start, tumbled to the ground and began to cry. Two of the other racers, hearing the cries of the boy who fell, slowed down and looked back at him. Then without hesitation, they turned around and began running in the other direction—toward the injured boy.
While the other contestants struggled to make it to the finish line, the two who had turned around reached for the boy and helped him to his feet. All three of them then linked arms and together they walked to the finish line. By the time the trio reached the end, everyone in the stands was standing and cheering, some with tears rushing down their faces. Even though by turning back and helping the boy who fell, they lost their own chance to win the race, they all had smiles on their faces because they knew they had done the right thing.”[1]
That ‘right thing’ that they did came from their heart and soul. It’s exactly the message Jesus is trying to teach the Pharisee today. Jesus is taken to task by this host for not doing the ritual washing of his hands before the meal. The Jewish Law laid down not only how much water you should use for washing before meals and the sort of vessel for the water, but also the order in which you washed your hands, that is, from the fingertip to the wrist.[2]
In strong words and images, Jesus tries to teach his host to give attention to cleansing his heart. For Jesus, the whole focus is on what is inside a person. The cleanliness of one’s heart, from Jesus’ point of view, is far more important that any external cleanliness. Jesus sees us from the inside out, not the other way around.
Jesus then offers an alternative action that really shows what’s going on inside a person. He suggests giving alms which show generosity, love, and compassion. Almsgiving is focused on the other person, as opposed to an empty self-directed ritual. Giving to others with a genuine spirit of sharing and caring cleanses and enlarges our hearts.
Today, may we listen to Our Lord and ask him to open our hearts wider, and to look for opportunities to give alms of our time, talent or treasure to others. May our hearts then glorify God and help others, like the generous and unselfish hearts of those young boys at the Special Olympics. At the end of the day and in their own hearts, they won the most important race of all.
[1] Thought-for-the-week.com
[2] https://www.sacredspace.ie/scripture/luke-1137-41-0
