What Dwells Within?
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–8 / Psalm 15:1a / James 1:17–18, 21b–22, 27 / Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23
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Reflecting on the Word
By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
“Be careful what you allow to dwell in your hearts,” Archbishop Edward Gilbert of the Trinidad and Tobago archdiocese once preached during an ordination. This thought clearly flows from the words of Jesus today. The criticism of the scribes and Pharisees about his disciples not washing must have sparked something in Jesus because he lands a verbal body-blow on them, calling them hypocrites and then quoting Isaiah against them for saying one thing with their lips but keeping their hearts distant from God.
All the readings come together harmoniously today. Moses calls the people to keep God’s law, to observe all the commandments carefully, not only for their own sakes but so the people might draw others to God. James calls his listeners to welcome God’s word that has been planted in their hearts, and to act on it by taking care of those most vulnerable in society: the widows and orphans.
My brother’s pastor weaves his Sunday preaching into themes that run several weeks. Last Lent he began a series he called “Christian Atheism,” asking whether those who come to church on Sunday act is if they didn’t believe the rest of the week. Sometime we get used to living with two creeds competing for our attention: what we say we believe, even want to believe, and what we act out daily. Jesus reminds us that our actions spring from within. So be careful what you allow to dwell in your hearts. From the heart comes forth good or evil.
Consider/Discuss
- What are the commandments that really govern your behavior? Are they God’s or merely commands of human tradition?
- Can you think of any time “human tradition” has assumed greater importance than God’s commands?
Responding to the Word
God of truth, we pray for the courage to take inventory of what we truly treasure. Help us to recognize the values that are more reflective of our culture than of your Son. Give us the strength to pursue what you would have us do, and thus honor you as the Father of lights.