22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Dt 4:1-2, 6-8
Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
Jas 1:17-18, 21-22, 27
Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Many years ago I took part in a group dynamics exercise. We were told to stand in a circle, join hands, and prevent Joe, outside the group, from breaking into the circle. We did that task well. So well that when Mary, also outside the circle, tried to break in, we kept her out too. The group leader processed the experience for us, reminding us that he’d told us only to keep Joe out. The leader explained that human beings sometimes get so caught up in the details of a system of behavior that they forget its original purpose.

The same thing often can be said for religion. The laws and structures of our religious life, as noted in today’s first reading, are an important way we relate to God. But as Jesus points out in the Gospel, when human beings go beyond the original purpose, and burden others with practices the law never intended, then the connection with God is severed. Lip service to external structures and laws can replace a commitment of the heart.

There is a place for law and for structure within our lives as Christians. But we must always keep the purpose in mind. If we center on the person of Jesus Christ, and his law of love, we should have no trouble doing just that.

I’m Father Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org.

Scripture:

•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? (Deuteronomy 2:7)

•LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. (Psalm 15:1-3)

•Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. 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 1:22,27)

•He responded, “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; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” (Mark 7:6-8)

Reflection:

•“Who may dwell on (God’s) holy mountain?”

•How close is God “to us whenever we call upon him”?

•Who is a “doer of the word”?

•Does Jesus quote Isaiah to indicate he is more concerned with actions than observing the letter of the law?

It is impossible to pray to a personal God—that is, love a personal God—and remain indifferent to your suffering brethren. It is impossible. Anyone who prays without suffering for his suffering brothers is praying to a pole, a shadow, not to the living God. Because if you pray to the living God, you who are living, he, the Living One, sends you to your living brothers. And sisters.