THE LAW OF REST AND THE PHARISAIC SYNDROME, By Fr Oluwafemi Victor Orilua, CSSp

HOMILY OF TUESDAY OF THE 5^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 1:20-2:4, Mark 7:1-13

THEME: THE LAW OF REST AND THE PHARISAIC SYNDROME

Quotes: After creation God rested. Anytime we lose sight of God and follow human laws, we will run the risk of losing our rest.

The law of moderation is a function of life preservation and an invitation to take one step at a time. Rest is not mere passivity or lack of work. Rest entails working with the best of convenience possible. Rest is knowing the reason behind our actions and living true to our identity.

He who knows when to retreat from a fight, we live to fight another day.

God established the law of rest at the beginning of the world. He created the world in six days and on the seventh day, he rested.

Moreover, any religion that always puts people on their toes or makes people become restless will only stop at prim religiosity and pseudo spirituality. It will never allow people to live an authentic life. The world has enough of challenges. And Christ has come to make life simpler for us by establishing the law of love. “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. … Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The approach of the Pharisee to God’s commandment only increases the burdens of the people rather than making life easy for them.

He rebukes the Pharisees and Scribes,

“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.”

They accused his disciples of not respecting the tradition of the elders but eating their food with unclean hands.

Dear beloved in Christ, where do we stand? Do we serve to relieve the pain of others? Do we put undue pressure on the people around us? Do we make life difficult for others? Under the guise of religiosity, we may be sharing in the sentiments of the Pharisees and thereby stiffening people’s peace.

While we do not settle for a religion of convenience; where anything goes, let us try to make life easy for others by carrying out our daily activity in the spirit of love.

PRAYER

May the Lord grant us enough rest amid our daily struggles. May we work to make life comfortable for others. Amen

+2

0