Tuesday: 5th Week in Ordinary Time-C
I Reading: Genesis 1:20-2:4: Let us make man in our own image, in
the likeness of ourselves.
Gospel: Mark 7:1-13: You put aside the commandment of God to
cling to human traditions.
The Emptiness of (Man-Made) Tradition, Ritual, Ceremony, Works
This
passage is very important and critical for the destiny of both man/woman and
religion. Why it is important? Because neither man nor religion can survive
being institutionalized, that is, being based and focuses upon tradition,
ritual, ceremony and works. Survival depends upon the hearts of man and of
religion. The heart of both must be focus upon acceptance and reconciliation,
approval and redemption, peace and love, humility and giving, joy and hope.
Man/woman can survive only when they.......
· Accept each other and reconciled to
God in Christ (together).
· Approve each other and are redeemed.
· Live in peace and love.
· Experience the joy and hope of
Christ.
· Walk humbly and live a life of
service. You can go on add your own good thoughts..
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
i.
The
tradition of cleanliness explained
ii.
Tradition
illustrated
c.
The
charge against the disciples was brought to Jesus
2. Tradition can be hypocritical honor
(v.6)
3. Tradition can be empty and worthless
worship (v.7)
4. Tradition can be man-made
commandments (v.8)
5. Tradition can be kept before the
commandments of God (v.9-12).
a.
They
twisted God’s commands
b.
They
insisted on obedience to tradition
6. Tradition can nullify (abolish) the
Word of God or make the Word of God ineffective.
Thought:
A hypocrite gives lip service while keeping his heart far from God. Jesus says
they are hypocrites because their heart is not God’s. They refuse to personally
accept Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah and Saviour of the world. They do
not know God personally, not in the depths of their heart (John 14:6)
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