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Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Scripture Reading

Ann Tran

The Gospel according to Mark (MK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23)

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed 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 tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. — So, the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" 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." He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. "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."

Reflection

Are we followers of Christ just because we have perfected lip service? Do we recite all the prayers or go to Mass so that people can see that we are “devout” yet our heart that is hidden from the public tells another story? Do we follow Christ with our heart or do we only use His name to mask the “evil” that comes from within?

True followers of Christ are law abiding citizens as we follow the ten commandments which was given to us. The most important law is to love one another as Jesus has loved us. Easier said then done, but we continue to do the best we can and reach out to our Lord so that He continues to teach us how to truly follow His law.

Lord,

Purify our hearts

Unite our love with yours

Replenish our zeal for you

Ignite our faith

Teach us to love

Yield good fruits from us

May we always follow you closely with our heart.

Amen


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