The Dilemma of the Law : 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's readings are interesting to me. In the first reading (Dt 4:1-2, 6-8) Moses lays down the law.

you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’

Then James writes in the second reading (Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27):

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Followed by the Gospel (Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) where Mark describes Jesus' confrontation with Pharisees. This is where the Pharisees try to get Jesus and his disciples in trouble for not following their strict literal, some would say fundamentalistic, interpretation of the Mosiac law. This is where Jesus steps up and teaches them a thing:

“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.

“From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Lord, grant me this day the gifts of wisdom and understanding. May I be wise enough to know what is right and wrong. May I understand the words of the Lord so I may be helpful.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.