Purity in the Form of a Whitewashed Tomb
Before you begin: Please read the Introduction — How to Practice the Gospel Exercises
Reflection on (Mt 6:22–24; Mt 18:3–4; Mt 21:12–13; Mk 5:25–34; Mk 9:43–50; Mk 10:15; Lk 11:33–36)
Prayer
Holy Spirit, please open my eyes and my heart to true purity. Give me the courage to acknowledge my weaknesses and the desire to seek the light that only Christ can give. May this exercise bring new light, humility, and sincerity of heart into my life.
Amen.
Reflection
When we hear the word “purity,” we often think of external rules or an anxious fear of impurity. But God’s Word reveals that true purity springs from within—from a willingness to draw near to Christ, who alone can heal and transform the heart.
Light and darkness within us
In Mt 6:22–24 and Lk 11:33–36, Jesus emphasizes the importance of our “eye.” If our perception and desires are pure, our whole interior is filled with light. But if we allow darkness to enter (sin, deceit, greed), it gradually spreads and begins to dominate. It is not enough to guard outward behavior alone—we must also watch what we allow into our hearts.
The openness and humility of a child
In Mt 18:3–4 and Mk 10:15, Jesus shows that the way into the Kingdom of God is the path of humility and childlike trust. A child is open-hearted, not hiding behind masks, and unburdened by the defenses of the ego. Purity of heart is born when we can humbly say: “Lord, I need You. I cannot cleanse myself.”
Christ drives impure motives out of the temple
In Mt 21:12–13, Jesus drives out those who were trading in the temple. In doing so, he reveals that God’s house is meant to be a place of prayer and communion with God—not a space for personal profit or compromise. We, too, must guard the cleanliness of our “inner temple,” not only outwardly, but above all before God.
Impurity does not separate us from Christ
In Mk 5:25–34 we read about a woman who, because of her illness, was considered unclean—yet she had the courage to come to Jesus and touch his garment. Jesus did not drive her away; he healed her and praised her faith. He alone can cleanse and restore life. Our weakness or sinfulness should not lead us to run from God, but to draw near to him with sincerity.
A radical stance toward sin
In Mk 9:43–50, Jesus speaks about “cutting off a hand” or “tearing out an eye” if they cause us to sin. In vivid imagery, he teaches that we must take sin seriously and decisively remove what leads us into it—even at the cost of discomfort. True purity is not compromise with darkness, but the courage to live in the light of God’s truth—like the woman once considered unclean, who, despite fear, drew near to Jesus rather than fleeing from him.
Christ as the source of true purity
If we allow darkness to surround us, we become full of darkness. But if we open ourselves to Christ with childlike trust, he fills us with light. We cannot serve both God and mammon; we cannot appear pure while allowing darkness to remain in our hearts. The woman with the hemorrhage teaches us that even when we feel our own impurity, we should come directly to Christ—the only One who can cleanse and heal. His grace transforms darkness into light and drives out whatever enslaves us.
May this reflection renew our desire for pure faith, humility, and trust in the Lord.
Discernment
Let us reflect: Where in my life is purity only external, while inside there is still darkness? Are there areas where I try to look good before others, yet I know my heart is not filled with God’s light? (Am I, in some way, like a “whitewashed tomb”—clean on the outside, but in need of healing within?)
Let us recall moments when we settled for superficial “order” instead of sincere conversion. In prayer, let us bring to Jesus even those places that pull us toward darkness, and ask him for courage and strength to walk the path of true purity.
Commission
In the coming week, let us notice situations where we slip into superficiality or pretending. Let us choose to seek light in the heart, not only outwardly. If we sense darkness within, let us not cover it up, but bring it with trust before Christ.
May our resolution be to live in humility and truth, and to allow his grace to transform us each day.
Prayer
Our Father…