Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Title

Adding and Subtracting

Outline

The Rabbi’s taught to “put a fence around the law” - we still do it today

Now this is not a bad practice when properly motivated - in my day, at least, guys sometimes tried to see how far towards the edge they could go with a girl - the results were not good - they would have done better to have set appropriate limits that would have allowed them to focus on the relationship

Some people try the same with cars and speed limits - one is likely to meet a policeman up close or at least to end a trip with more tension in one’s body

Yet at the same time, the focus on such “being right” by making rules that keep one far from error, whether in secular or religious life, can help one ignore transgressions of what God is really concerned about because the fences distract one from these more central issues

Our texts tell us, observe the boundaries, but know the difference between a fence and the will of God

Moses is quite clear in his approach to divine law

“In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.”

There may be some generally good ideas that can often help one keep the commandments, but they are not to be added to law as if they were divine. On the other hand, it may be that folks around are not observing this or that commandment “literally” and are doing well, but that does not mean that one can transgress.

James tells us “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”

God is not interested in whether I can pass a doctoral exam on the content of the rules of morality

Instead, he is all too aware that desire can lead to sin that can lead to death. But that is not God. Instead God “willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” There is a reverse chain of birth here ending not just in life but in the best. To make this reverse chain James even uses the same word for giving birth and applies it to God.

Thus James is saying, actually follow God’s will to enjoy life, not the deceptions of desire - but follow God’s will, not your own ideas about what it should be

Jesus, as usual, makes it concrete

There is not a word in the Torah about washing hands except as part of the whole body when one knows one has come in contact with something taboo.

The Pharisaic approach is to put up the fence “just in case.” And then they judge others by the fence.

Jesus says, “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”

Why is this so bad? Because “You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition”

By focusing on the outward they are able to ignore the inward, the examination of conscience which would reveal the source of evils that the Torah does indeed condemn

Now, Sisters, you are probably aware of this except perhaps some of the details of exegesis

But these texts are given to us, first, so that you can observe and correct the dynamic in those whom you are supposed to influence

And perhaps, second, they can help you in your community life avoid letting some of this legalistic punctiliousness creep in as I know that it does in clerical circles where sometimes the vestments one wears are more important than the state of one’s soul

Finally, it is always good to make it a part of our own examen to ask if I am getting more focused on rules which go beyond God’s rules and allowing that focus to obscure real issues that come out of the soul?

As German Christians used to say, “Die Hauptsache ist dass die Hauptsache die Hauptsache bleibt, und die Hauptsache ist Jesus”. (The main thing is that the main thing remains the main thing and the main thing is Jesus - and, of course, his real teaching)

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 8-29-2021: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–8

1 Now therefore, Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.

6 Observe them carefully, for this is your wisdom and discernment in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people.” 7 For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? 8 Or what great nation has statutes and ordinances that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

Catholic Daily Readings 8-29-2021: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Psalm 15:1a

1 A psalm of David.

LORD, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy mountain?

PSALM

Psalm 15:2–5

2 Whoever walks without blame,

doing what is right,

speaking truth from the heart;

3 Who does not slander with his tongue,

does no harm to a friend,

never defames a neighbor;

4 Who disdains the wicked,

but honors those who fear the LORD;

Who keeps an oath despite the cost,

5 lends no money at interest,

accepts no bribe against the innocent.

Whoever acts like this

shall never be shaken.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-29-2021: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND READING

James 1:17–18, 21b–22, 27

17 all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. 18 He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

21 Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-29-2021: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

James 1:18

18 He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

GOSPEL

Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23

1 Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2 they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. 3 (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. 4 And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles [and beds].) 5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 6 He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me;

7 In vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines human precepts.’

8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

14 He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

21 From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. 23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 8-29-2021: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021 | ORDINARY TIME

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR B | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–8

Response Psalm 15:1a

Psalm Psalm 15:2–5

Second Reading James 1:17–18, 21b–22, 27

Gospel Acclamation James 1:18

Gospel Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23

GREEN