Lectio Divina – 32

Fr Martin Kallunkal

Reading    
“The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round him, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, keep the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them to keep, concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So the Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites in the passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments. You put aside the commandment of God to observe human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! (Mk 7:1-9).

Reflection    
In the passage we have just read, we see a debate between Pharisees and Jesus over the dining habit of some of the disciples. The controversy starts when the Pharisees raise an accusatory question: “Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?” (v.6). Jesus does not justify His disciples, rather questions the credibility of His opponents: “How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition!” (v.9). One can see that the problem here is not hygiene, but ritual purity and pollution. In order to understand the exact intent of Jesus’ teaching in this passage, we need to understand who the Pharisees were and what they stood for. Pharisees belonged to a renewal movement in Israel, which believed that strict observance of Torah and total separation from the unclean ones around them would make Israel acceptable before Yahweh. They followed the “tradition of elders” which was a system of rules and practices over above the written law. For instance, the practice of washing hands is a rule for priests according to Ex 30:17-21; 19:16; but Pharisees, who viewed Israel as a kingdom of priests, insisted that all Jews should also follow the rules required for priests, especially when there was any possibility of getting contaminated by gentiles in the marketplace. Jesus finds fault with these reformers. He paraphrases Isiah’s words to unmask their hypocrisy. In Jesus’ estimation, the Pharisees reject God in favour of human agenda. Pharisees who work for renewal are not open to interior conversion. They are contended with lip service and inherited rituals. Nevertheless, it is important to note that Jesus’ criticism does not apply to the tradition and liturgy of the Catholic Church. First, there is no contradiction between Jesus’ words and 2 Thess 2:15. What Jesus rejects is merely human tradition. Second, Jesus’ critique of lip service does not imply Catholic liturgy. What is criticised is empty formalism devoid of authentic love.

Prayer    
Lord, I realize that many of my religious practices have become routine and superficial. I sadly admit that the faith in which I often take pride has not yet shaped by behaviour. Lord, my spirituality is badly superficial. Help me to restart from inside out. Lord, with the three young men I pray: “We now have no leader, no prophet, no prince, no burnt offering, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense, no place where we can make offerings to you and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit, be as acceptable to you” (Dan 3:15-16).

Contemplation    
Consider intimate relation with God as the most important thing in faith-life. Sit before God, and tell Him: let my sacrifice be to you today, and may it please you that I follow you whole-heartedly (Dan 3:17).

Action    
Eschew elitism of all sorts, and stop being an elitist in the practice of faith. Read and reflect on liturgical spirituality.