August 30, 2009 22nd Ordinary Sunday of the Year Deut. 4:1-2, 6-8; Jas. 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mk. 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings:http://www.usccb.org/nab/083009.shtml   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     The Gospel presents a constant danger of contrasting Christianity as a religion of love and interior conversion to “legalistic” Judaism. The Pharisees were dedicated to strict observance of the temple regulations for purity in their daily lives as a sign that every aspect of life could be holy.   In the Gospel Jesus speaks not to the Pharisees and scribes, but to his disciples, warning them of those evils that can pollute the human heart and destroy social relationships. What goes into a person can defile a person. Jesus’ diagnosis is that there’s a deeper problem that comes from within. Spiritual impurity or moral defilement starts on the inside. It arises from the heart. We all suffer from this heart disease for which the only cure is the healing medicine of Jesus’ grace.   In the Bible the heart refers to a person’s innermost core or spiritual center. "Heart" refers to "the total person," for "one’s whole being or self." A pure heart is a life directed and devoted totally and unreservedly to God. God sees, tests and searches the hidden depths of the human heart. The real action is deep in the heart.   Jesus takes issue with those whose spiritual focus is on the surface, who are concerned solely with outward actions. He is perturbed by those who have reduced religion to doing the "right things," to looking good, to maintaining outward appearances. He is repulsed by their superficial, skin-deep faith.   Jesus saw a preoccupation with the external when he looked at the scribes and the Pharisees. The more they focused on outward actions, the less attention they gave to inner attitudes. They were going through the motions but losing sight of their deeper motivations. They focused on the rules but neglected a relationship with the living God. They gave lip service but did not give themselves in loving service. They washed their hands but did not have a clean heart.   Jesus and the Pharisees were arguing a very basic point. What do faithful people do to be faithful? What are the interests of God and how do we serve them? Ritual is important and so is the manner and the degree to which we are distinct from the world around us. Each of us still has to figure out what that means in our own lives.     <<   Previous: 21st Sunday of the Year  |   Next: 23rd Sunday of the Year >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)