A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 23:27-32

Jesus said,
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.
28 Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous,
30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
31 Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
32 now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

Reflection: External and Internal Beauty

Good News: God sees what is inside our hearts.

The present generation spends a lot of money building monuments of past leaders. While it is a noble act to immortalize the memory of our ancestors, it is best to learn from them, not only for their heroism but also from their mistakes.

It is said that history repeats itself. We are quick to analyze the mistakes of past leaders not knowing that people of our generation, ourselves included, are repeating the same mistakes. Just like the Scribes and Pharisees in our reading, they thought that they are far better than their ancestors but because of their hypocrisy, they deserve the harsh rebuke from Jesus. Some people never learn.

On the other hand, the current culture is heavily tilted towards externalities. Every day, the media bombard us with powerful advertisement about new and bigger houses, cars, and more effective cosmetics to make us look gorgeous. It is no wonder a large part of the household budget is spent on things for showing off.

Not only that, people spend many minutes or hours fixing their physical appearances and looking at the mirror. Do they also spend the same number of hours fixing what is wrong in their thoughts, in their hearts and in their behavior? It is really interesting that Jesus is comparing us with tombs which are so immaculately white on the outside but dark and smelly inside.

Let us fix first our internal selves and the external will follow. Likewise, when we look at people, let us not just admire their external beauty. Let us also be wary of their motives and behavior. What is inside will always show itself in the outside. It is more important to be beautiful in the sight of God than in the eyes of people.

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In this gospel reading, Jesus addresses the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time. Jesus compares the Pharisees to “whitewashed tombs,” beautiful on the outside but full of dead bones and uncleanness on the inside. He condemns them for appearing righteous while harboring wickedness in their hearts. This passage invites us to reflect on our own lives and the sincerity of our faith.

The challenge Jesus presents is clear: Are we more concerned with outward appearances than with the condition of our hearts? In today’s world, it’s easy to focus on how we present ourselves—through our social media profiles, our achievements, or even our acts of piety. But Jesus warns that if these outward displays are not matched by genuine inner transformation, they are meaningless.

True faith is not about perfection but about authenticity. It’s about recognizing our flaws and seeking God’s grace to change. The Pharisees, whom Jesus addressed, were more focused on maintaining their image than on seeking true repentance and humility before God. They prided themselves on following the law meticulously but missed the heart of the law—love, mercy, and justice.

As followers of Christ, we are called to examine our hearts regularly. Are we living out our faith in a way that reflects genuine love for God and others, or are we more concerned with how we are perceived? God desires a heart that is fully devoted to Him, one that seeks to align with His will, not just in actions but in thoughts and intentions.

This passage also reminds us that spiritual pride is dangerous. When we elevate ourselves, thinking we are better or more righteous than others, we fall into the same trap as the Pharisees. Instead, we are called to humility, recognizing that all of us are in need of God’s mercy.

Let us therefore strive to live out a faith that is real, rooted in a sincere relationship with God. Let our lives be a reflection of His love and grace, not just in what we do but in who we are. May we be people who seek to please God from the inside out, knowing that He looks at the heart and desires truth in our innermost being.