Today, the evangelist places Jesus at a dinner table: “A Pharisee invited him to dine at his home” (Lk 11:37). What an interesting idea that turned out to be! One can only imagine the host’s expression when his guest ignored the ritual washing custom (which was not a commandment of the Law but a tradition of the ancient rabbis) and then boldly reproached both him and his whole social group. That Pharisee chose the wrong day for his invitation—and Jesus’ behavior, as we might say today, was far from “politically correct.”

The Gospels show us that the Lord cared little about appearances or what people might say; “political correctness” was never His concern. And for that reason, neither should it be the rule of conduct for anyone who calls himself a Christian. Jesus clearly condemns the kind of double standard that masks convenience or deceit: “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools!” (Lk 11:39). As always, God’s Word challenges the customs of our daily life, where we often end up turning falsehoods into “values” that disguise our pride, selfishness, and vanity—an attempt to “globalize” morality under what is socially acceptable, so as not to stand out or be left out, no matter the cost, no matter how dark it leaves our soul. After all, we tell ourselves, “everyone does it.”

Saint Basil said: “there is nothing which a prudent man must shun more carefully than living with a view to popularity.” If we are to be witnesses of Christ, we must remember that the truth is—and will always remain—the truth, even when it rains down spears upon us. This is our mission among the people we live with: to remain clean in spirit, following the model of humanity that God reveals to us in Christ.

True purity of heart goes far beyond social appearances. And if ever doubt arises, let us remember the Lord’s promise: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” Each of us must decide where to set our gaze—for time, and for all eternity.