22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time
30 August 2009
First reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God just as I lay them down for you. Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.” And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today?’
Psalm or canticle: Psalm 14:2-5
Second reading James 1:17-18,21-22,27
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change. By his own choice he made us his children by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created. So do away with all the impurities and bad habits that are still left in you – accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.
Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
Gospel Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
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. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these 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, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ He called the people to him again and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut
In May 2008, the production group I was volunteering for brought the Christian band Hillsong United for a one night of praise and worship concert in Manila. Since their songs are popular in charismatic fellowships both for Catholics and non-Catholics, we were able to fill Araneta Coliseum to rafters with a mixture of Christians from different denominations. The Big Dome was rocking that night, rocking with praises and worship for our Lord Jesus. In the midst of the concert, one of my friends told me “If only these 20,000 people will become Christians outside this coliseum, kindness, love, and caring in Metro Manila will be up by 0.2% (she’s good in math, so she must have calculated what percentage of Metro Manila’s population is 20,000). I would give the same comment with the millions of church goers on Sundays.
Early this month, the whole world became witness to the outpouring of love of the Filipino people for the late President Corazon Aquino. Despite the scorching heat or heavy rains, thousands lined up the streets of Intramuros and Greenhills to pay their last respect to who we now call as The Mother of Philippine Democracy. On the day of her interment, thousands more crowded the streets of Metro Manila to show love and support reliving the days of the People Power back in the 80’s. Every Filipino is once again passionate and proud to be one. After Tita Cory’s remains were laid to rest, I asked “what’s next?” How do we continue this flame of patriotism that suddenly ignited in us? I think if only each of those who walked the streets of Metro Manila, together with the millions watching on television, on the day of Pres. Aquino’s burial, would do one small thing for the country (e.g. obey traffic rules, keep the streets clean, or just respect one another), we will have a better Philippines.
Not that I am judging those who praised God in that concert. I was one of them too. Not that I was judging those who came in multitude to Pres Cory’s wake and burial. If not for my physical disability, I would be there too. But I just would like to challenge everyone. Do we walk the talk? Do we practice the love that we profess while worshipping God once we go out of the church? Or how do we manifest our patriotism in our everyday lives?
In my first reflection sharing last July, it was timely that the Gospel talked about how prophets are rejected. In Today’s Gospel, Christ warns us of hypocrisy. Maybe another coincidence for me that today is the last Sunday for this year that I will be sharing my reflections to God-Speak. Maybe God is warning me to live according to what I write or to continue the flame that I have started last month by studying the weekly readings with scrutiny and thereby truly reflecting on what they mean to me as a struggling Christian myself. It was truly a nice experience to write for God-Speak. Not only that I am able to impart what I think is God’s message to the readers but it also helped me in examining myself more often than not. With that I am thanking all who gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts, experiences, and desires to be a good Christian. I will continue to reflect on the weekly readings and post them in my personal blogs. This will be my way to continuously examine my conscience until my next God-Speak sharing. Until then, let’s remember to walk the talk!
Lord, thank You for the gifts and talents you showered upon us. May we always use these gifts in spreading Your words not just in words, but in deeds. Amen!
Ephphata
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