22nd Sunday of the Year, B – September 1, 2024.
Readings: Deut. 4:1-2.6-8; Ps 15:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5(R.1a); James 1:17-18.21b-22.27; Gospel – Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23.
Sunday Synopsis
The first reading discloses that God charged the Israelites to be diligent to his word, statutes, and judgments. In the second reading, St. James states that “as God’s first fruits,” the faithful are urged to be wholehearted, consistent, and comprehensive in following God. The Gospel recalls the criticism Jesus received from some Pharisees and Scribes who came from Jerusalem and accused his disciples of eating with unclean hands. We are challenged to blend observing the Living Traditions of the Church with the practical dimensions of the faith. May God help us to bring joy to others – Only then can we be said to practice unspoilt religion while keeping ourselves unstained by the world.
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, our liturgy reveals the practical dimensions of faith. The discussion between Jesus and some Pharisees and Scribes brings to the fore the distinction between the essentials and the non-essentials of our faith otherwise known as “Tradition” with a capital “T” and tradition with a small “t.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church (No 78) teaches that: “Tradition is the faith that the apostles received and handed on to the faithful by word of mouth or by letter. It is the living transmission of the apostolic preaching accomplished in the Holy Spirit.” It is the living faith of the Church and is backed by scriptural references (Cf. 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Tim. 2:2).
Background & Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Deut. 4:1-2.6-8) discloses that God charged the Israelites to be diligent to his word, statutes, and judgments. It presents Moses’ instructions to the people to obey the laws and customs given to them by God. He maintains that it was necessary to observe them to have life and enter the land God promised to their fathers, he would give them. Moses also cautions against adding or subtracting from the precepts.
In the second reading (James 1:17-18.21b-22.27), St. James states that “as God’s first fruits,” the faithful are urged to be wholehearted, consistent, and comprehensive in following God. He challenges Christians to grow beyond mere listening to the word of God by putting it into practice. He insists that the faith that counts is operative in one’s life by stressing that “pure and undefiled religion is caring for orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained from the world.”
The Gospel (Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23) recalls the criticism Jesus received from some Pharisees and Scribes who came from Jerusalem and accused his disciples of eating with unclean hands. Jerusalem is mentioned as the Eternal Capital of the Jews, and since they came from there, they dared Jesus. They felt obligated to ensure full observance of the Law of the elders as observed in Jerusalem. According to Mark, Jesus called them hypocrites and accused them of honouring him with lip service while their hearts were far from him. He even referred to the worship they offer as worthless, and doctrines, as mere human traditions.
Pastoral Lessons
- Trust and Obey: The first reading underscores the point that we follow the laws of the Lord because they are a prerequisite for obtaining life and entering heaven – the new and everlasting Jerusalem promised to our fathers.
- Care for the Needy: We are urged to assist orphans in the provision of food, shelter, clothing, and education like Mother Teresa who is acclaimed as the Saint of the Gutters because of her perpetual acts of charity which involved picking street children to cater for them.
- Resist the throwaway culture: Pope Francis has consistently challenged Christians about the “throwaway culture” which uses people and loves things and throws away things that benefit others.
- Hold fast to Traditions. In a world where Catholics are also taunted for being too orthodox or traditional, we are urged to hold fast to the Sacred Traditions of the Church that remain a conveyor belt to heaven.
- Balance religiosity with spirituality: In a Church where some of our members (Catholics) have become so fanatical about their religiosity that their spirituality seems dead, we are challenged to balance our religiosity with genuine spirituality.
Summary Lines
- The first reading discloses that God charged the Israelites to be diligent in his word, statutes, and judgments.
- In the second reading, St. James states that “as God’s first fruits,” the faithful are urged to be wholehearted, consistent, and comprehensive in following God.
- He challenges Christians to grow beyond mere listening to the word of God by putting it into practice.
- The Gospel recalls the criticism Jesus received from some Pharisees and Scribes who came from Jerusalem and accused his disciples of eating with unclean hands.
- Jesus called them hypocrites and accused them of honouring him with lip service while their hearts were far from him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the scripture warns us: “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan” (Exodus 22:22). As such, we are challenged to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are shown the love of Christ. We are challenged to ensure that we blend observing the Living Traditions of the Church with the practical dimensions of the faith. May God help us to bring joy to others – Only then can we be said to practice unspoilt religion while keeping ourselves unstained by the world.
