TRUE WORSHIP: BEYOND EXTERNAL RITUALS
GENESIS 1:20-2:4; PSALM 8; MARK 7:1-13
The first reading presents us with the creation account, which shows how God gave humanity dominion over creation. In line with this creation account, today’s Psalm praises God for His magnificent creation. Humanity’s dominion over creation also implies our stewardship. Therefore, we are stewards who will give an account to God.
Moreover, in the words of the Gospel reading, our hands may be clean, and our pots and cups may be clean, but the account we shall give to God will be based on the cleanliness of our hearts. This means that, just as we care for the earth and our hygiene, we must also ensure that we do not downplay the weightier matters of our faith. Christianity is about God’s truth, not human tradition.
As clean as the Pharisees’ hands were, they often used them to point fingers, accuse, indict, and prosecute. Let us not fall into the same trap.
LET US PRAY:
My Father and my God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, empower us to live holy lives, so that we can truly represent Christ on earth and in every situation. Help us to walk with You in holiness, not in pretense. Help us fulfill our destiny and purpose. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
