Ord.Wk 5th: Tuesday 6th February, 2024 February 6, 2024
Reflection on the WORD
Hypocritical Observances – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaimed to the Pharisees and scribes, that they were deceiving others through their hypocritical living. They showed others that they were “religious and holy” but, in truth, Jesus says, “they only honour God with lip-service.” Ponder on: How authentic are we in our faith, love and hope in God?
Mark 7:1-2, 5-8
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them.
So the Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites in the passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments. You put aside the commandment of God to observe human traditions.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Jesus wants us to obey God’s Commandments with a sincere heart.
- God’s Word gives us knowledge of His truth and goodness. We must not misinterpret God’s Word with clever arguments to suit our selfish needs, e.g. we may be selfish and unethical, but console ourselves that it is acceptable because everyone is doing it.
- Do you listen to God’s Word and emulate His truth and goodness? Ask Jesus to enlighten our minds and purify our hearts so that we may walk in His ways of love and holiness.