Please read the passage before the homily.
My sisters and brothers,
A sign on the restaurant bathroom says, “Employees must wash hands after using the toilet.” We know we have to wash our hands before eating and bathe every day or every week. Many people have many rules about cleanliness, politeness, and grammar. Without these rules we could not live well with other people.
It was the same at the time of Christ. Then, as now, there was the temptation to give more attention to appearances than to the sincerity of other people’s actions.
From our hearts rises the sincerity of our love, of our virtue, and of our actions that please others. From the heart we have love for family, love of country, and love of God.
In emergencies, we can use a dirty T-shirt to stop the bleeding. In life and death situations, when we need a hospital, we can use whatever is at hand.
What comes from the heart is more important. From the heart of a person come good and bad intentions. Bad intentions stain the person. Good intentions bring glory to the person. Jesus desires “mercy and not sacrifice.” Our sacrifice, our sign of devotion to God, and the way we express our union with God and our love for God shows itself in how we treat others in our lives.
We ought to celebrate Mass every Sunday, but it is more important to protect the weak, support the aged people, feed the hungry, give time and talent to those in need, and respect others at all times. Through these actions that flow from the heart and from our good intentions we show God our faith and our devotion. Through these we honor God with our lips and with ojr hearts, we are close to God.