This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me

This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me

1 And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem.
2 And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with unclean hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients:
4 And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds.
5 And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not your disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with unclean hands?
6 But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaiah to prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
7 And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men.
8 For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these.
14 And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear me, all of you, and understand.
15 There is nothing from outside a man that entering into him, can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man.
21 For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile a man.

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I said, “do not judge” because he who judges will be judged. It is very common in the spiritual life to think that human efforts may lead to sanctity, but I want to remind you that God is the one who builds the spiritual house, not man. Those whose efforts are not combined with obedience forfeit the grace that is always given to the humble.

The Pharisees used to criticize my disciples and doubted my teachings, they had become proud and thought that they were better than everybody else. Today, there are many who criticize those who are in the spiritual life; and putting aside my teachings they think that they are in a higher spiritual position. This is why I said, the first will be the last, and the last will be the first.

What is human opinion before God? I am the Master, and my teaching brings perfection to the soul. There is nothing good in personal opinion since that is contaminated with self-love and is always mixed with pride, even in the souls closest to me. This is why I have called you to learn from me, who am humble of heart. I the greatest, the King, have become the slave of humanity and have come to serve you.

It is very serious to judge others, because only God knows the heart of everyone, he who imparts judgment is putting himself above the person being judged and loses merit for many of his good deeds. It is of no value to offer me prayer, when the heart is rejecting my teachings; it is worthless to offer me lip service when the soul is full of egoism and the heart is far away from me.

He who wants to be forgiven must forgive others, he who wants to know what concept I have of him, must abandon all judgment to others, he who wants to be worthy of me, must recognize constantly his indignity and must live in accordance to his repentance.

He who wishes to grow spiritually must be filled with me, so that he can become a fountain of living water and so that from his heart may come good works as a testimony of my Presence in his life.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary