Truth vs. tradition
Today’s gospel (Mark 7:1–13) presents us with an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus encourages us to focus on essential matters—justice, peace, holiness, mercy, and faithfulness—rather than getting entangled in worthless practices.
In the gospel, the Pharisees saw that some of the disciples of Jesus were eating with hands unwashed while they washed their hands (verses 2–3). Jesus ceases this opportunity to teach us that the effort directed to washing our pots and cups can be so directed towards our hearts.
Therefore, inasmuch as we must not disregard our hygiene, we must also ensure the hygiene of our souls. As clean as the Pharisees’ hands were, they often used them to pick points and accuse, to indict, and to prosecute unjustly. We often use clean hands to issue fake drugs and food. With our clean hands, we insult “waka/shege,” and with our clean mouth, we utter words like “your father, God punish you,” etc.
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God’s commandments. By implication, we evaluate our traditional practices against God’s fundamental principles. Some traditional rites are simply against truth, love, justice, and mercy.
How do we explain the pain and torture widows go through at the death of their husbands? How do we justify the sky burial that is still being practiced in some communities? Like Solomon in the first reading, we pray that God may hear us and forgive us for our transgressions so we may not fall short of his promises.
Let us pray
My Father and my God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, empower us to live a holy life so that we can truly represent Christ on earth and in every situation. Help us to walk with you in holiness and not in pretense. Help us to fulfill our destiny and purpose. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
