Daily Readings - Sun Aug 29 2021
Deuteronomy
1"And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.2You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.6Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'7For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?8And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
James
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Mark
1Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders,4and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches. )5And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"6And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;7in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'8You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men."14And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand:15There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him."21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the essence of faith and how it should be lived out in our lives. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of adhering to God’s commandments, not merely as a set of rules, but as a way of life that reflects our wisdom and closeness to God. Moses urges the Israelites to preserve these teachings without alteration, highlighting their role as a chosen people with a unique relationship with God. This passage serves as a foundation, reminding us that our actions should be guided by divine wisdom.
The second reading from James builds on this by focusing on the practical aspects of faith. James encourages us to humbly receive the Word of God and to live it out in our actions. He defines true religion as caring for the vulnerable and maintaining personal purity. This reading challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual acceptance of faith to a life of compassion and integrity, where our actions reflect our beliefs.
In the Gospel, Mark contrasts external rituals with internal purity. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing traditions over God’s commandments, emphasizing that true defilement comes from the heart, not from external sources. This teaching invites us to examine our own hearts, recognizing that our thoughts and actions have a profound impact on our spiritual state.
Together, these readings guide us to a deeper understanding of faith. They remind us that while traditions and rules have their place, the core of our faith lies in living with a pure heart and demonstrating our beliefs through compassionate actions. As we navigate our daily lives, let us strive to embody this truth, allowing our faith to transform not just our minds, but our hearts and actions as well.