Daily Readings - Sun Sep 01 2024
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 importance of living a life rooted in genuine faith and true devotion to God. The first reading from Deuteronomy emphasizes the need to follow God’s commandments as a way of life, not just a set of rules. Moses urges the Israelites to observe these teachings carefully, for they are the source of wisdom and understanding. The second reading from James reinforces this idea, reminding us that every good gift comes from God and that we must be “doers of the Word, not listeners only.” James also highlights the importance of caring for the vulnerable and keeping ourselves pure in a world often tainted by sin.
In the Gospel, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes, who are more concerned with outward traditions than the purity of the heart. He quotes Isaiah to point out their hypocrisy, saying that they honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. Jesus then teaches the crowd that it is not what enters from outside that defiles a person, but rather the evil thoughts and actions that come from within. This teaching challenges us to examine our own hearts and lives, ensuring that our faith is not just about external practices but about a deep, inner transformation.
These readings call us to reflect on our own lives and ensure that our faith is authentic and lived out in love and compassion. Let us not be like the Pharisees, focused on outward appearances, but instead, let us cultivate hearts that are pure, humble, and surrendered to God. May we strive to be doers of the Word, living in a way that reflects the wisdom and love of God in all we do.