"You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." (Mk 7:8a)
READING OF THE DAY
First reading from the Book of Deuteronomy
Dt 4:1-2, 6-8
Moses said to the people:
"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin upon you,
you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
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?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?"
Second reading from the Letter of James
Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Dearest brothers and sisters:
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
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.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From 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."
SUNDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
In today's Word of God, God the Father calls people to live in the spirit of fearing God in order to follow His commandments. Humans are just lowly, weak creatures created by God the Father in His image. Therefore, to be happy in the grace that God gives, we must absolutely follow the path of God's commandments. His commandments are the laws that God the Father has given through the Ten Commandments.
The main and most important commandment is to love God above all things and to love others as ourselves. There is no law as great as that law. Because all in all, to bring people to eternal life is to fear God, love God, and love our fellow human beings. Love is the source of all good things in daily life for people, that is altruistic charity, that is worship, fear, love of God, the only God of mankind. The laws that God has given to people must absolutely not be erased, because these laws bring eternal life to people. Apart from God, no one can save people.
Today, God the Father wants people to live with a loving, pure heart in their thoughts, words, and actions. Do not emit dirty, sinful things of lust, passion, and worldliness anymore.
The words of God today emphasize: to keep our bodies and souls pure and clean before God the Father, before our brothers and sisters, do not live a double life, do not live a hypocritical one. Because He understands all thoughts, actions, and deeds of each person. Live sincerely with a heart that loves God and others as ourselves. The laws of God cannot be changed to fit human laws because the laws of the world will not bring people to eternal life. Because Satan will also take advantage of human freedom and weakness to tempt, causing people to disobey the will of God the Father, to displease Him. What God the Father teaches people in today's world is to be alert to Satan's temptations. They will find every way to make people disobey the will of God the Father. By following the laws of the world, one is not fulfilling God's commandment: to love God above all things and to love others as oneself.
What God teaches today, people should engrave, remember, and put into practice. Live in a spirit of morality, and holiness, walk in the grace of God, do not live according to the outside. That is what God the Father teaches people in their daily lives. People should hold tightly to God, and walk on His path with a loving heart, with respect, worshipping God the Father who is the only One.
Thoroughly practice the laws that God has taught and engraved in the hearts of mankind, right from the beginning when He created them. That is the law of love.
Live fully the words LOVE because love comes from God.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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