Tuesday 5th Week in Ordinary Time B 2022
Mark 7:1-13 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020822.cfm
HAND-ME-DOWNS
When I was growing up, I found it pretty exciting to wear an old shirt that my brother didn’t need anymore or outgrew. I was so proud when I got his baseball glove, and it was broken in. Traditions are hand-me-downs from one generation to another. We pick up things without realizing it. For example, for the last 47 years, I have held the fork in my left-hand upside down and scooped food onto it instead of scooping with my right hand. I learned this behavior over the six years I spent in England.
Traditions are hard to break. They become so much a part of us that we do them unconsciously. For example, the Pharisees saw Jesus’ disciples eat before washing their hands in today’s gospel. Jesus called these behaviors human traditions. They were healthy hand-me-downs but not the most important. They gave God lip service because they lacked heart.
Our Catholic Faith is full of traditions we have had since the time of Jesus and the apostles. The worship of God in the Eucharist is one of the first traditions. It is easy to lose the meaning and value of celebrating the Mass with our parish family when the liturgy becomes routine. I find it easy to pray with my heart when I acknowledge that I am in the Presence of God. I feel the prayers rather than think them. Cherish the praise in your heart for a favor received. Embrace a sadness and surrender it to the Lord, letting Him take care of everything.
It takes a little effort, but the love in my heart for the Lord fills the words and actions with life. So bring your heart close to the Lord and pray in the Spirit of the Living God. Jesus is waiting to love you, so you know it,
IGNITE THE FIRE
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC