Readings: Deut. 4:1-2,6-8; Jas. 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mk. 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
What comes out of a person is what defiles.
Some years ago, I lit a purple instead of the rose candle on the third Sunday of Advent. A parishioner was so upset that it affected her participation at Mass. She confronted me about it after Mass. I told her that the color of the candle we light at Mass does not matter to God so long as our hearts are at peace with God and others. She was even more angry and pointedly told me, ‘Well, if you do not know which candle color to light, you should not have been ordained a priest.’ That was shocking. What does the color of the candle have to do with the worship of God? Lighting a candle is a mere ritual and nothing more. So, do we worship God with our hearts, or are we simply observing the rituals? Must we always do things as ‘it was in the beginning’ and not question why we do them? Are we paying lip service to God or doing things that will deepen our relationship with God? Let us not be afraid to question traditions and rituals, our beliefs, and challenge our assumptions.
The gospel tells us of the Pharisees and scribes who came from Jerusalem to Galilee to observe Jesus and ensure that he did everything according to their laws. They observed rightly “That some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed hands. For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the traditions of the elders.” To them, Jesus said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandments but cling to human tradition.” (Mk. 7:5-7)
Jesus would later ask his disciples, “Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine? But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within, and they defile.” (Mk. 7:18-23) It is funny that some Christians focus on the rituals rather than the worship of God. It is easier to think of things and how they are done than of people and how to help them. It is easier to think of how to do things right in the Church than how to be right with God and one another. Little wonder why the Psalmist asked, “Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?” (Ps. 15:1). According to the Psalmist, here are the qualities needed to be admitted into God’s presence: “Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart; Who does not slander a neighbor, does no harm to another, never defames a friend; Who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the Lord; Who keeps an oath despite the cost, lends no money at interest, accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken.” (Ps. 15:2-5). These are the sons and daughters of the kingdom of heaven. They are the poor in spirit, the peacemakers, the meek, the merciful, and the clean of heart. They seek to please God and their neighbors and worship God in spirit and in truth. They will inherit the kingdom of God. (Mt. 5)
In the second reading, St. James reminds us, “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17). We should strive to live by God’s law, being doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding ourselves. Because “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27). Isaiah also stressed this point thus: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them and not turning your back on your own.” (Is. 58:6-7). In summary, faith without good works is dead.
In the first reading, Moses reminded the children of Israel that God’s law was a gift that would give evidence of wisdom and intelligence “To the nations, who will hear of these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God is to us whenever we call upon him”. God is close to us when we keep his law of love. When we worship God in spirit and in truth, we can’t but come to the aid of those in need, and God’s love will be perfected in us. Hearing the word of God is good, but putting it into practice is even better. Going to Church, praying the rosary, fasting, and spending a long time in Church are all good and excellent and worthy on their own. Still, good works should accompany them: helping the poor, forgiving injuries, being compassionate, showing mercy, and helping in ministries of the parish according to our gifts. This is the worship that pleases God. It will purify our hearts against the things that defile us. When we love God in spirit and in truth, we will find joy in genuinely loving others from our hearts because we love God that much.
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP.
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