Galatians 5:1-6 / Luke 11:37-41
To wash a car is not quite the same as to service a car.
To wash a car would simply means that we clean off whatever dirt that is on the chassis and we would be quite satisfied by that.
To service a car would mean much more work. Just opening the bonnet and looking at the engine would mean that it would be a demanding task.
But by and large, we would be quite contented with appearances and leave insides for another time or until a problem appears.
Jesus chided those who only care about appearances and impressions. He calls them "fools".
They care about the outsides but are not too concerned with the insides.
Jesus pointed out that the inside is where the big problem is, and that is often the case.
Even in the religious sense, we may perform acts of faith.
But St. Paul tells us that what really matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.
It is with love that we give alms and help the poor and needy.
That will be a means of cleaning the heart of selfishness and greed so that the heart can become a heart of love.