Be Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only ~ by Ronnie Archer

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The people of Israel were being warned by Moses to carefully observe the statutes of God, so that they may live, enter into, and take possession of the land that was promised to their forefathers.

The second reading today from James, reminds us that all good things and every perfect gift that comes to us, comes from God. We are to be doers, as well as hearers of God's Word.

Mark's gospel for today, tells of the Pharisees' and scribes' criticism of Jesus' disciples, in observing the external fact that they ate with unwashed hands, not following the tradition of the elders.

In each of the readings, Jesus calls us to commitment. The Israelites were called to hear and observe God's commandments, giving evidence of their wisdom and intelligence to the world. There are three things that are necessary to be a real Christian. They are faith, deeds and intention.

We are called to put our faith into action. All of us have been given a seed to eternal life through baptism.

The Pharisees were placing more attention on the ritual of purifying themselves outside than the more important fact of purifying from within. Jesus wanted them to put emphasis on what was of more importance - the commitment to God's commandments, not human tradition. Nothing that enters from the outside can defile a person, but those sins that are within us, defile us.

God always looks internal at the heart; we are accountable to God, and the pure heart qualifies us as a Christian.

Let's ask God to increase our faith to inspire us to be transformed, so that we will be an example that will reflect Christ's presence daily in our world today.

AMEN