SUNDAY- 22^nd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

I Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2. 6-8: Add nothing to what I command you, keep the commandments of the Lord.

II Reading: James 1:17-18. 20-22.27: You must do what the Lord tells you.

Gospel: Mark 7:1-8. 14-15. 21-23: You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.

The Emptiness of (man-made) Tradition, Ritual, Ceremony, works, Mk 7:1-13

Survival depends upon the hearts of a person and of a true religion but not institutionalized religion, tradition, ritual, ceremony and works. The heart of both must be focused upon acceptance and reconciliation, approval and redemption, peace and love, humility and giving (service), joy and hope in the Lord.

1. The religionists found fault with Jesus’ disciples (v.1-5)

a. A fact: finding commission from Jerusalem

b. The fault- eating with unwashed and unclean hands

1) The tradition of cleanliness explained

2) The tradition illustrated

c. The charge against the disciples was brought to Jesus

2. Tradition can be hypocritical honour (v.6)

3. Tradition can be empty, worthless worship (v.7)

4. Tradition can be man-made commands (v.8)

5. Traditions can be kept before the commands of God (v.9-12)

a. They twisted God’s commands

b. They insisted on obedience to tradition

6. Tradition can nullify the Word of God or make the Word of God ineffective (v.9-12)

The Things That Defile, That Makes a Person Unclean, Mk 7:14-23

Jesus’ teaching shook the world of his day, it has disturbed and gnawed at the minds and consciences of people. It revolutionizes people’s idea of evil and wrong doing. It lays people bare before God making him/her totally depend upon God for salvation and life.

Jesus said, “listen, hear and understand. Do not only hear what I am about to say, but understand it. It is of supreme importance.”

1. Jesus called the crowd to Him (v.14-17)

a. The importance stressed: listen and understand

b. The point stated

c. The disciples’ dullness

2. Explanation 1: The things that enters the body does not defile nor make unclean (v.18-19)

a. It does not enter the heart

b. It enters the digestive tract

3. Explanation 2: The things that come out from the heart does defile (v.20-22)

a. The progress of sin

b. The sins

4. Explanation 3: The source of evil is heart (v.23)

Thought: It is not enough for us to hear what Jesus Christ is saying, we must understand the true meaning of His words.

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