Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading Saturday September 30, 2023

Comment: This imagery of “graves” used by the Master, in the opening text for today, evidently depicts the dangerous nature of the scribes and Pharisees. In the gospel of Saint Matthew, Christ scolded them saying: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27) They gave the impression that they were holy, pious and keepers of the law; whereas, they lived in lies and deceit. There was a time when they complained to Christ that his disciples did not wash their hands before eating? Pointedly, he answered them saying: “…whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man…but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” – Matthew 15:17-20; Mark 7:17-23.