Do not pay attention only to the outside, but especially to the inside.

What do you say to such words: Only the worst people go to church! Is it true? Yes, we are imperfect; we have many faults. There are many faults on our shield, but we feel that perhaps others are no longer aware of, these are the very things I want to try to repent. It would be very wrong for us to clasp our hands in church, to go to Holy Communion, and yet to be able to slander everything and everyone, to judge, to take revenge, to not hold our tongues…

We must realize that those who try to live a more practical spiritual life and can find time for external devotions are looked upon more critically by those around them. They notice even the smallest-tiny imperfection and flaw in such a person.

But this must not discourage us from following Christ, even when considered the worst. They would rejoice if we set them right! But we are to remember that we must prove to them, though we may not convince them, that we are only better than those who fail to do their duty. Yes, the Mass is not all faith, but we know there are things to keep that speak volumes about our inner selves.

The Pharisees found fault with the Lord Jesus as well. What is it? Would you say that the Lord Jesus had no responsibilities after all? Judge. The Lord Jesus was invited to a certain Pharisee for lunch. He went and took his place at the table. And the Pharisee was astonished when he saw that the Lord Jesus had not washed His hands before eating. We know that the Pharisees considered the observance of ceremonial regulations, which included the washing of hands, to be the foundation of their righteousness. The Lord Jesus’ action, in this case, was deliberate. Not that, as a man, he was opposed to hygiene, but by his conduct as God, he wanted to show that he could see into the inner man. He looks at the cleanliness of the inside of a man. It is a sinless state.

We know that the Pharisees considered themselves elite and perfect people, inventing and keeping all kinds of laws and regulations, but inside they were pretty different. Therefore, in another place, they also received reproof from Christ: whitewashed graves, a generation of vipers, and a deadly stench. It was pride that often drove them to absurdity. The Lord Jesus, by His teaching, brings about the opposite of what the Pharisees prided themselves on. The teaching of the Lord Jesus is founded on love.

We realize that love makes a person genuinely pure. Therefore, we do not divide people according to whether they do clean or unclean work, but we look at the inner man and what motives he goes about his work and duties. It is not enough to clean the surface, so everything is in order on the outside and not inside. Even if we cannot see inside another, we know God is there as believers. What often happens is that what a person carefully hides within transforms and will one day manifest itself on the outside. Every affection and every virtue in time, at least in unguarded moments, can be sensed from our manifestations or read in a person’s face.

If we want to be perfect Christians, we must take care of our inward appearance and only then our outward appearance. Then, even if we are wronged, and our insides are clean, we will surely not miss our reward. God will be our judge. Therefore, let us go on without fear. In life, we may meet with people who have better outward manners, know the social rules more than the simple Christian, and yet have less respect from other people. Let us strive to purify our interior from all evil so that we may not be slaves to our sins and passions and that the love of Jesus may penetrate us. It is not enough to cover sin, mask it, or pretend. Sin must be removed, and we can only speak of purity and perfection.

Let us also pray for those who speak of people who try to be the worst, that the Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit, may enlighten their minds so that they may know their error and embark on the true path of conversion, purification, and purity in their lives.