Homily: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 “Was Jesus Religious or Not?”
A story is told of a liturgy committee in a parish that had a lot of debates over how the liturgical ministers should act at church. Some seemed to spend their time at Mass critiquing the behaviors of ministers. For example, they wondered if the altar servers should hold missalettes at Mass. If they did, it would show they were actively participating in the liturgy. Another debate revolved around whether the Eucharistic ministers should genuflect before they opened the tabernacle at communion or should they genuflect after they opened the tabernacle. Some felt it would be proper to do both. The committee found there was no rubric anywhere to guide the group about this. Finally, a wise woman, said, “I wonder if God really cares when one genuflects if the person has reverence in their heart when they approach the tabernacle.” Religious people get caught up in minutia at times.
In Jewish religious law there were two types of law. First there were the Ten Commandments and the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). Broad moral principles are laid down in Pentateuch. Especially the liturgical laws. And there were unanswered questions.
Five centuries before Christ, a new class of religious leaders emerged. The leaders were called scribes. The scribes were those who would interpret religious law. Scribes were not too concerned about broad religious principles. No, they were passionate about definition. And these were the people who came up with rules about how one was supposed to act at table. A tradition developed where the scribes would quote teachers who had lived long before them. The people that were quoted were the elders. One law followed from the next, until there were thousands of religious laws.
One of the rules they followed was that when a person ate a meal, they were to wash their hands before the meal as well as between each course. A devout Jew was to follow a specific way of washing. The hands had to be free from dirt, from gravel, or certain foreign particles. Special water was brought to the table that was only used for washing. The fingertips were held upright first. Water was poured over them. The fingertips were then held down. Water was poured over them again. A minimum amount of water was to be used which was measured with an eggshell. A person at table was to use one and half eggshells worth of water for each cleansing.
The typical working-class person could not follow such rules. Fishermen and labors would not have special water and eggshells at their disposal as they went about their jobs. The niceties of religion could only be observed by those who were wealthy, who did not have earn their living by the sweat of their brow.
Throughout religious history the person who could not keep elaborate religious laws for very practical reasons were often attacked, belittled, and dismissed, by the affluent. And that is what happened to Jesus. Also, that is what happened to his apostles. The masses of people were thought to be unimportant in the eyes of God. Jesus was one of the poor. Obviously, he did not agree. He emphasized religious laws that stressed the broad principles of the law, like loving God and neighbor.
We have much concern in the church today about those who are falling away from religious practice. Why does that happen? Researchers say that often people cease practice of their religion because the church seems shallow. There is a sense that the church is disconnected from the real world. Another feeling that is expressed is that there is a feeling of not measuring up. The church might feel like it needs to challenge lax religious practice which will then energize people to do better. But quite often the opposite happens. People often come to church, and they feel judged. Maybe they despair that they can never be holy, so they leave the church.
We need to remember the people Jesus enjoyed. He was not a professional religious person living in an ivory tower. No, he was a holy man living amid the world. He probably did not wash his hands before every meal. He did not fit the mold of what a religious person was. No, he broke the mold.
Reflection Questions:
- What does a religious person look like? Do I measure up?
- Is a holy person different than a religious person? How?
Dear Parishioners,
The number of COVID cases has dramatically increased in our country. Just today I went to anoint two people, a man and his wife who have COVID. At least one of them was vaccinated. Both were in the hospital. Both were on oxygen and were very uncomfortable. I think they will live if all goes well. It was another reminder to me that the COVID pandemic is still raging. In fact, it is getting worse.
I am tired of wearing masks and of worrying about going out in public, but I don’t get mad when health officials ask me to get vaccinated or wear a mask. It is not their fault that COVID is out of control. When I listen to health care professionals, I don’t get a sense that they enjoy giving the public bad news. They would probably rather live in obscurity, the way they normally do. They feel they must mandate things to try and save people’s lives and health.
I say all this because our governor has asked us to once again mask up when we are gathered indoors. This includes Mass. I would remind people who we are protecting. It is not about personal freedom or taking care of ourselves. No, taking health care precautions is about loving our neighbor. When I wear a mask, it is not about saving my health. It is about looking out for others. I have lost friends and relatives to COVID. Many of you have as well. Let’s mask up remembering those who have paid the ultimate price.
I ask people to wear masks to church until further notice. There will be no one at the door to police this. We will be on the honor system. I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you this week.
Fr. Mark