Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8, James 1:17-18,21-22,27, Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
True religion by the name is of the heart. God sees the heart, but human beings see our acts. When we reduce our service of God to outward observances, we may limit ourselves to mere meaningless facade and loose the proper connection with him.
In the gospel, the Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus “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.”
The laws, as laid down by Moses are meant to draw the people closer to God. That was why he told the Israelites to observe them day and night. When the rudiments of our Godly identity become load of worries and constitute burden for people, it becomes instrument of slavery. Laws are made for people and not the other way round. The words of God are meant to be written in our hearts to guide us into the way of peace. People encounter God through the way we live our lives and not through religious shows.
According to St James, “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.” James 1:27.
May the word of God be written in our hearts that we express it in our daily living. May we experience the power of God as continue to make him known in our societies. Amen.
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