Of Hypocrites and Unconditional Love

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. - Matthew 23:27-28

Had I not known that the passage was written long ago, I would have thought that I was the prime subject of today's Gospel. Much like the scribes and Pharisees at the time of Jesus, I am a hypocrite myself. Some think I am a good person (I don't know why, must be because I attend Feast Alabang*), but I'm NOT. I fall into sin every now and then, and I feel guilty right after. I am not perfect, I am not holy, and I am definitely not saint material (well, not yet).

This fact, though not really acceptable, is the same reason why it amazes me that God still loves me. My being unholy yet still embraced by God is a testament to how unconditional His love is. I am a hypocrite, yet I am still loved by my God. Isn't that amazing?

*FEAST ALABANG (formerly called the SOUTH FEAST) is a weekly gathering of the Light of Jesus Community (LOJ). It happens every Sunday at the Feast Alabang Center, 2nd floor Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, at 11am and at 3pm. It is led by Feast Builder/Main Preacher Arun Gogna. LOJ is a Catholic charismatic community led by Bo Sanchez.

Photo source: fineartsamerica.com