Thought for Pew Slip – 3rd September 2006
Readings: Deut4:1-2&6-9, Ps15, James1:17-27, Mk7:1-8&14-15&21-23
In our first reading today, from the book of Deuteronomy, God emphasises to the Israelites the importance of keeping all the statues and ordinances of the law of the old covenant. Obeying the law often meant obeying a lot of detailed rules and regulations about daily life; rules about washing yourself and what you could eat.
When Jesus came he established a new covenant and a new commandment to love one another (Jn 13:34, 15:12). In our gospel reading today we hear Jesus scolding the Pharisees for legalistically obeying the human traditions of the law and having forgotten about the true commandments of God, which concern love for God, and love for our neighbour (MT 22:37-40, Mk 12:28-31).
So Jesus has set us free from the legalistic detail of the old law and instead asks us to love God, to love our neighbour and to love one another. But this law of love still requires practical action in our daily lives. In our second reading James reminds us to be “doers of the word, and not merely hearers”. So, let us always live out the law of love in a practical way. Let’s find simple ways to love and serve the people around us.
Fr Gerard
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