Acts of devotion
You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish. (Luke 11: 39)
While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. (Luke 11: 37-41)
Acts of pious devotion are signs that should especially remind ourselves, and consequently those around us, of our willingness to do God's will. But such acts alone do not put us in a right relationship with God. God loves us so much that we can never repay Him enough. So, let's simply trust what Jesus tells us: devotional acts are right insofar as they put us in the frame of mind to love God, but then we need to give our whole heart to God. What devotions are you most faithful to and do they increase in you the desire to love God above all other things?
