A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 7:1-13)
“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, ‘Any support you might have had from me is qorban’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.”
The Pharisees criticize some of the disciples as they eat with unwashed hands. Jesus responds to their criticism, confronting their adherence to human traditions over God’s commandments. Jesus quotes Isaiah, saying, “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.” Jesus calls out the Pharisees for dedicating their possessions to the temple instead of honoring their parents, demonstrating that they follow human traditions over God’s commandments. “You nullify the word of God,” Jesus tells them. “And you do many such things.”
God, help me understand that in confronting the Pharisees, Jesus provides a model for how to prioritize your commandments over human tradition, a good in itself that has an appropriate place. “You disregard God’s commandment,” Jesus says, “but cling to human tradition.” Give me sincerity of heart and the grace to put into practice the Ten Commandments and your Son’s two great commandments: to love you, God, with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.
From the responsorial psalm: “My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!” Saint Paul Miki and companions, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.