DAILY HOMILIES #fools

Do you know God will judge us even for the thoughts we allow into our hearts? You might say, “No one knows what I am thinking… I only thought about it; I didn’t do it.” This is how the Pharisees thought, and Jesus called them fools. First, your thoughts are not hidden from God, and second, thinking evil is equivalent to doing evil. Lust is adultery, and anger is murder. (cf. Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28). “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:34-35)

Why did Jesus address the Pharisees as fools? The Pharisees thought they could deceive God by their external show of religiosity. They dressed well and prayed in the marketplaces to attract the praise of men, but their hearts were “full of extortion and wickedness.” It is better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not.

Immorality and evil in our world today directly reflect the fact that people no longer believe God exists. It is foolish to say God does not exist. It is even greater foolishness to disobey God’s commandments, to live as though there is no authority guiding your life.