In the readings this week, we continue to hear about the pharisees and their negative interaction with Jesus. When we think of pharisees, we usually associate them as self-righteous hypocrites. These readings are saying something about them that can be said about us: we lack love for others. A pharisee is one who pretends in their religious practice and fails to show compassion and empathy to their fellow humans.
    We often time care more for pets and results than helping those in need and focusing on the dignity of each person we encounter.
   This gospel is very personal. Our family was hit with tragedy very early with the death of our father. My mother became a widow, and we became somewhat orphans. Some people chose to take advantage of this in their comments and treatment. Many good people were also there to lend a hand. I remember when we first came to the United States and with the first snow I ran outside with only a shirt and no coat. Soon I was freezing. A neighbor saw me and provided mittens to warm my hands. I always remember that gesture of helping the poor, the widow, the orphan. I remember that person, although not as a church-goer, had a sense of humanity. 
    We love God when we help and love our neighbors. We become pharisees when we practice false piety and fail to help those in need. Jesus sees right into our hearts to see if we truly love our neighbor as a person and as a community. How wonderful it would be if Our Lady of the Valley became known for its generosity to those in need. I would like to thank the St. Vincent dePaul society, the Knights of Columbus and all our charitable parishioners for their support of our neighbors. Let us all continue to practice our love for God through helping others so as to be commended as a community of love rather than as pharisees.