Lent: With One VoiceSample

THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL

In the gospels, Jesus often takes the Pharisees, along with the Scribes and the Sadducees, to task. He uses them as examples of people who, in trying to keep the law of the Lord, fail to see the whole picture.

Whilst the Pharisees pay much attention in observing ritual cleanliness and being seen to do the right thing, the reality is that the honoring of God by showing mercy to parents is ignored. They had found a way of counting worldly wealth as ‘corban’ (a gift for God) and therefore unable to be used for any other purpose, least of all being given to family members.

The characters in this passage are so literal in their interpretation, that they can obey all the laws concerning eating and at the same time what comes out of their mouths makes them unclean.

It is what is in our hearts that will define us, not what we look like on the outside, but how clean we are within. Jesus defines a new law, not easily followed by those who have rulebooks, as love is not metered out by rules but by compassion and mercy.

FOR REFLECTION
• Can you think of any saying of Jesus or parable that He taught that doesn’t apply to you?
• Can you relate to the Pharisee in this gospel passage? How easy is it just to follow the rules rather than the spirit of the law?

PRAYER
Most gracious Father, You sent Your Son to show us how to come to You. Help and support us in our lives of faith, that we might discern all that is important to Your calling into the Kingdom, and by Your grace live as an example of Your love in the world. Amen.

O God be all my hope all my striving let my thoughts and words flow from You,
my daily life be in You, and every breath I take be from You. (John Cassian, 360-435)