Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
(Matthew 23:25)
Lord, we are so concerned with appearances. Like the Pharisees, we pay attention to the parts that show. We used to call it “putting on the dog,” when we cleared away the clutter before guests arrived. Please help me today to tend to what matters to you, to my soul.
I remember a koan that asks, “What is the most important part of a cup?” The answer is the empty space, for without that it would hold nothing. Let me empty myself so that you can pour your grace into me. At a retreat years ago, we considered the lace our sisters used to make in order to support themselves. Without the holes, there would be no intricate patterns, just a flat piece of cloth. You can make something beautiful, even out of my gaps.