Education in Faith

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 

Gospel reflection:       What do you we hear and learn from this week’s reading?

In the Gospel this week, we hear Jesus telling the people that it is not enough to say that we believe in God if we are also going to do things without really thinking about what they mean. Instead, we have to show that we love God through our actions and by being the best people that we can be. 

The Pharisees and scribes were eager to point out the religious traditions that some of the disciples were breaking. Jesus chided them, pointing out that they were more concerned with keeping the traditions than they were with keeping God’s laws. Jesus explained that what is most important is what comes from within a person, and from a person’s heart. In Jesus’ time the Pharisees, who were very powerful people, and the ordinary Jews washed their hands and their arms all the way up to the elbow before eating every meal so that their hands were clean, and so they didn’t get ill. But also because it was a tradition. It was a part of their religion. They had many other religious traditions too – (washing food from the market, washing cups, pots, bowls and beds in a special way).

The Pharisees were surprised when they saw that Jesus’ disciples had not washed their hands in the traditional way. The Pharisees questioned Jesus about this. What did Jesus say to them? 

Jesus became angry with the Pharisees. He said that they were just following their traditions without really thinking about God. This was not enough. For Jesus it was very important for people to really show love for God in all their actions.

Discussion Starters and points to consider:

1. The Pharisees and scribes did not appreciate the good things / miracles that Jesus did or was doing before their eyes. They were more interested in looking for mistakes or lapses in His teachings or in His disciples. Does it sound familiar?

2. Where is the dividing line between the essential and the trivial? Pray that the Holy Spirit will grant us the gift of discernment.

3. What is the role of tradition in our spiritual life? Do the traditions of the church essential in our spiritual growth?

4. Were the Pharisees really bad? Were they not also trying to please God?

5. Do you think Jesus would say to someone who went to church every week, but who was mean to other people?

6. Do you think they are showing their love for God in their actions?

7. What traditions do we have for how we worship God and to show that we believe? We go to Mass when we are able to on Sundays and on other special days, we say our prayers, we might wear a cross around our necks. These are all important, but do you think they are enough?

Let us pray:

God of mercy and love, you sent your Son Jesus to show us how to live. 

Help us always to be the best people that we can be 

and to show our love for you in all that we do. 

Teach us to be kind and generous, 

to share with others and to show our love for you. 

Give us strength when it is difficult, 

courage to keep trying and hope that through our actions 

we may make a difference to the lives of others. 

Amen.

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God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au