Daily Readings - Tue Feb 08 2022
1 Kings
22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven23and said: "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below-you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.27"But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!28Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.29May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.30Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
Mark
1The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and2saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed.3(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.4When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles. )5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"6He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.7They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!10For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'11But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God),12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and worship, urging us to align our external practices with a genuine internal devotion. In 1 Kings, Solomon dedicates the Temple, acknowledging God's transcendence and humbly requesting that God hear the prayers of His people. This passage emphasizes the importance of sincere prayer and the recognition of God's presence beyond any physical structure.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the Pharisees for prioritizing traditions, such as ritual washing, over God's commandments. He criticizes their hypocrisy, where outward practices mask a lack of true faith. This highlights the tension between external rituals and internal devotion, reminding us that our faith should not be reduced to mere observances but should stem from a sincere heart.
These readings call us to examine our own practices, ensuring they reflect a genuine relationship with God. Let us not let traditions overshadow the commandments of love and integrity. May our worship be heartfelt, and may our actions be guided by a deep, sincere faith, honoring God not just with our lips, but with our lives.