30 Aug
Sun
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Dt. 4:1-2,6-8
Ps. 14 (15): 2-4,5
James 1:17-18,21-22,27
Mk. 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23
(Ps Wk II)
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The Jewish faith, especially in the time of Jesus, was a religion built on the perfect observance of laws, the Law of Moses. In today's Gospel the Pharisees, who prided themselves on their perfect observance of the law, accused some disciples of Jesus of not observing the laws about washing on returning home. Mark tells us that there were many other regulations about the purification of dishes. Jesus replies to the criticism by pointing out that such observances were purely external and said nothing of what was going on in people's hearts. The law was even manipulated to cheat people of what were their rights. (We hear the same fallacy today: if it is legal, it must be right.) And Jesus goes on to assert that it is not the food that goes into a person that makes one unclean but rather the filth that comes out of evil intentions leading to greed, deceit, indecency, theft, murder and adultery, to name just a few. The emphasis of Jesus is totally on the inner intention of the person. Later he will sum that up with the command to universal and unconditional love. Anything done from a genuine desire for the well-being of a person cannot be wrong, even if it objectively breaks a law or commandment. It is easy for Christians to become focused only on commandments and rules and to forget the law of love. It is a weakness in our Church of which we need to be aware.



Lord, teach us to love others as You love us - unconditionally.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That public opinion may be more aware of the problem of millions of displaced persons and refugees and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation.
Elaboration

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