Catechism Links [1]
CCC 577-582: Christ and the Law
CCC 1961-1974: the Old Law and the Gospel
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| “Christ among the Doctors” by Bonifacio Veronese,1544-45 |
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Commentary on Dt 4:1-2, 6-8
This passage from Deuteronomy marks the end of the historical part of the book and the beginning of Moses’ presentation of the law and statutes. He addresses the whole people telling them that unless they follow the statutes which he is about to present, they do not receive what God promises the faithful, in this case the land of milk and honey. While the promise of Moses was the inheritance of the physical land, God’s later promise was of a kingdom not of this earth.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
Commentary on Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
This selection records the response of the Temple
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Reading II: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Commentary on Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
This section of St. James letter continues his discourse started following the introduction about the value of trials and temptations. The one who follows the path of sin finds death while the one who overcomes temptation and remains faithful to the “Father of lights” will find life – the “kind of first fruits of his creatures.”
“This means that Christians should not be depressed or cowed by the difficulties which God permits them to experience; on the contrary, they should see them as a series of tests which with God's help they should surmount in order to receive the reward of Heaven. "The Lord does not allow His followers to experience these trials and temptations unless it be for their greater good," St. John of Avila comments. "He disposed things in this way: endurance in adversity and struggle against temptation prove who His friends are. For the mark of a true friend is not that he keeps you company when times are good, but that he stands by you in times of trial [...]. Companions in adversity and later in the Kingdom, you should strive to fight manfully when you meet opposition that would separate you from God, for He is your help here on earth and your reward in Heaven" ("Audi, Filia", 29).”[5]
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Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Commentary on Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
We begin the seventh chapter of Mark’s Gospel with an encounter with the Pharisees. Jesus’ disciples are not following strict pharisaic laws regarding ritual purification and the Lord, who is their teacher, is taken to task for it.
Jesus responds indignantly quoting Isaiah 29:13 and pointing out that it is the Pharisees with their man made laws who are sinning against God. Jesus then takes that first command of God to man in the Garden and interprets it. He also stands Jewish Law that declares some foods to be unclean. The focus he makes is that the food that enters the body cannot destroy it but actions and words that contravene God’s Law will.
Jesus responds indignantly quoting Isaiah 29:13 and pointing out that it is the Pharisees with their man made laws who are sinning against God. Jesus then takes that first command of God to man in the Garden and interprets it. He also stands Jewish Law that declares some foods to be unclean. The focus he makes is that the food that enters the body cannot destroy it but actions and words that contravene God’s Law will.
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Reflection:
We pose this question: in the following two examples, which person is a good Christian? In the first example we have the person who attends Mass every Sunday, follows the precepts of the Church scrupulously and prays the Rosary daily as well. Outside of these practices, however, they are focused completely on making life for themselves as comfortable as possible. Some would call them hedonistic and certainly uncharitable. In the second example, the person rarely attends Mass, is lax in virtually all of the precepts of the faith. However, their lives are dedicated to serving others. They give of themselves and their material goods unselfishly and go out of their way to help others.
Again – which is the good Christian?
It is, of course, a trick question. The true answer is neither are really good Christians. In the first example, the person who is scrupulous about the discipline and precepts of the Church might be seen as pillars of the Church by Sunday Church-goers. In appearance they do all the right things but without actions outside the community that reflects an interior attitude, these pious actions are empty. In St. Mark’s Gospel story, Jesus is referring to the critical Pharisees as falling into that category. He quotes the Prophet Isaiah and says “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” St. James also supports this view. He tells the early Church in his letter “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”
The second example is also has a serious problem. Yes, they are “doers of the word” as St. James said, however, in not fulfilling their basic obligations they have placed themselves above the Law God gave us. If we say, as many do, that what is truly important is how we act toward others; how we live Christian values, then we have thrown away an important aspect of what the Lord calls us to do and be. Arguing with a close friend about this very subject not too long ago, he made this argument – that the best “Christian” he knew was Gandhi. He missed the difference between being “moral” and being Christian.
One who lives a life that expresses the values of our faith but does not participate in the faith life of the community is not necessarily even Christian. What makes one Christian is the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. It does not matter how many people they help or how “good” they may be in all other aspects of their lives. Without that belief, they are not on the path to eternal life. They have not accepted the offer and are not necessarily going to enjoy the reward.
It may seem at times that selections from Sacred Scripture force us to understand the unique way in which God chooses to reveal himself in Christ. Moses speaks to the people of Israel
What Jesus advocates in St. Mark’s Gospel is a balance between the stark demands of Moses and the pragmatic application of St. James. We must both adhere to the discipline of our faith and express its intent in our lives if we are to be counted as followers of Christ in fullness.
Pax
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] S.S Commemoratio
[3] The picture is “Christ among the Doctors” by Bonifacio Veronese,1544-45
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Revelation and Hebrews and Catholic Letters”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 282
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