"LIP SERVICE TO GOD AND MEN"
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
Second Reading: James 1:17-18, 21-22,27
Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
* First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. In this passage Moses exhorts the people of Israel to follow the statutes and ordinances of the Lord and keep the commandments. They were told not to add or deduct anything from them. As a wise and understanding people, they have to follow them in letter and spirit.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage, the Apostle reminds us that God can be loved and served only through our love for fellow humankind: especially by serving the poor and the orphans and the widows and the needy. He tells us that we have to be doers of the word and not merely hearers. That way we will be doing the will of God.
"You leave the commandments of God and hold fast to traditions"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In this passage Jesus confronts the Pharisees and the Scribes who accused His disciples of not keeping the traditions and practices of the Jews. This was told in the context of His disciples eating food without washing their hands as the Jewish custom was. According to their traditions they were expected to wash their hands before eating any food. Jesus went on to explain that what really make us impure is not what we eat or drink: that which goes into the stomach but rather, what comes out of our heart: that is evil thoughts, desires, fornication, theft, murder and adultery.
Jesus is inviting us to have a close look at our set practices and observed traditions. He wants us to have a conversion of heart that will lead us to God experience. Let us not waste our precious lives in trivial matters but give importance to the essentials of life. It is not enough to do lip service to God and fellow humans but rather by concrete actions which comes from our hearts (cf. James Ch. 1)
"Serving the poor is serving God" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
" The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" - Mahatma Gandhi.
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
Second Reading: James 1:17-18, 21-22,27
Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
* First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. In this passage Moses exhorts the people of Israel to follow the statutes and ordinances of the Lord and keep the commandments. They were told not to add or deduct anything from them. As a wise and understanding people, they have to follow them in letter and spirit.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage, the Apostle reminds us that God can be loved and served only through our love for fellow humankind: especially by serving the poor and the orphans and the widows and the needy. He tells us that we have to be doers of the word and not merely hearers. That way we will be doing the will of God.
"You leave the commandments of God and hold fast to traditions"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In this passage Jesus confronts the Pharisees and the Scribes who accused His disciples of not keeping the traditions and practices of the Jews. This was told in the context of His disciples eating food without washing their hands as the Jewish custom was. According to their traditions they were expected to wash their hands before eating any food. Jesus went on to explain that what really make us impure is not what we eat or drink: that which goes into the stomach but rather, what comes out of our heart: that is evil thoughts, desires, fornication, theft, murder and adultery.
Jesus is inviting us to have a close look at our set practices and observed traditions. He wants us to have a conversion of heart that will lead us to God experience. Let us not waste our precious lives in trivial matters but give importance to the essentials of life. It is not enough to do lip service to God and fellow humans but rather by concrete actions which comes from our hearts (cf. James Ch. 1)
"Serving the poor is serving God" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
" The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" - Mahatma Gandhi.
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