22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Rigid Ritualism.

Reflecting on the Catholic Readings for September 1, 2024, Year B

The liturgical readings for September 1, 2024, invite us to delve into the depths of our faith and the responsibilities it entails. The readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, present a tapestry of teachings that span from the Old Testament to the New, guiding believers in their spiritual journey.

The first reading from Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 emphasizes the importance of adherence to God's commandments. Moses instructs the Israelites to observe the statutes and decrees carefully, not adding or subtracting from them. This passage highlights the wisdom and intelligence of God's laws and the distinction they provide His people among the nations.

The Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5, echoes the sentiment of righteousness and justice. It describes the characteristics of one who is worthy of dwelling in the Lord's presence, emphasizing integrity, truth, and respect for others.

In the second reading, James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27, we are reminded that every perfect gift is from above. The passage calls for believers to be doers of the word and not merely listeners, highlighting the essence of pure and undefiled religion before God: to care for those in need and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

The Gospel of Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 confronts the tension between human traditions and divine commandments. Jesus challenges the Pharisees and scribes on their strict adherence to ritual purity, pointing out the necessity of purity of the heart over external observances.

These readings collectively urge the faithful to reflect on the authenticity of their faith. They are called to live out the commandments genuinely, to embody the word of God in action, and to prioritize the purity of the heart. This reflection on the readings is an invitation to examine one's life in the light of God's word and to recommit to living a life that is pleasing to Him, marked by justice, service, and holiness.

Living Out the Teachings: Practical Applications of the Catholic Readings for September 1, 2024

The Catholic readings for September 1, 2024, provide a profound reflection on faith and action. They encourage believers to not only listen to the word of God but to actively live it out in their daily lives. Here are some practical ways to embody the teachings from the readings of the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B:

1. Adherence to God's Commandments:

   - Daily Reflection: Start or end your day with a reflection on one of God's commandments, contemplating its meaning and relevance in your life.

   - Integrity in Actions: Make a conscious effort to align your actions with the commandments, ensuring that your daily decisions reflect God's laws.

2. Righteousness and Justice:

   - Community Service: Volunteer in community service projects that aim to uplift the marginalized and support justice initiatives.

   - Fair Dealings: Practice fairness and honesty in all your dealings, whether it's in business, relationships, or casual interactions.

3. Being Doers of the Word:

   - Active Faith: Participate actively in your parish or faith community, not just attending services but engaging in ministries and activities.

   - Word in Action: When faced with decisions, ask yourself how you can apply the wisdom from the scriptures to make a choice that reflects your faith.

4. Care for Those in Need:

   - Charitable Works: Support or initiate charitable works and programs that provide for the needy, such as food banks, shelters, and medical aid.

   - Personal Outreach: Look for opportunities in your own life to assist those who might need help, be it a neighbor, a friend, or a stranger.

5. Purity of Heart:

   - Mindful Consumption: Be mindful of the media and content you consume, choosing those that nurture rather than corrupt your heart.

   - Inner Reflection: Spend time in prayer or meditation, seeking to cleanse your heart of negative emotions like anger, jealousy, or pride.

6. Authentic Christian Witness:

   - Role Model: Strive to be a role model in your community, showing what it means to live as a Christian in the modern world.

   - Dialogue and Understanding: Engage in respectful dialogue with others about your faith, seeking to understand and be understood.

By integrating these practices into your life, you can move beyond mere contemplation of the word to active and meaningful expression of your faith. It's about making small, consistent changes that align your daily life with the teachings of the scriptures. In doing so, you become a living testament to the transformative power of God's word, inspiring others through your example. Remember, it's not about grand gestures but the everyday choices that reflect the essence of the readings and the core of the Christian faith.

Unfortunately, even the Catholic Church is not immune from Phrarisaic behavior. We have those who call themselves "Radical Traditionalists" who adhere to the rule of the law and not the spirit. Even some "traditionalists" have adopted similar attitudes forcing the Pope to describe this as "rigid."  Yes, we do need laws and rules. That is a given. However, we have to remember why the rules exist and for whom. 

The rubrics of the Church exist to keep order in the Liturgy, and this is a good thing. However, when the rubrics become an optical to spiritual growth and grace, then this is a huge problem. When we get caught up on whether people have their hands raised during the Our Father if a priest has expensive vestments or not, or if the pope wears traditional African patterns during a Mass in Africa, that is when we have a problem. We forget why we are at the Liturgy.  

If we claim receiving Communion in the Tongue is more sacred than on the hand or rush to the line of the priest because receiving Holy Communion from a deacon or extraordinary minister of the Holy Eucharist is somehow not the same as receiving from the celebrant directly, then we have a huge problem. We did not internalize the faith. It has become a mindless ritual based on our personal palates.  

It turns the ritual into an idol. This is why Pope Francis and some priests have said that the Eucharist or Eucharistic processions can become idolatry.  This is not because of the Eucharist, but because of our perception towards the Eucharist and the Liturgy surrounding it.  Again, if we go to Mass or a Eucharistic Procession to look at what the fashion is of the clergy and ministers, or if there are altar girls or not; if we go to a Eucharistic Procession to see if the monstrance is "traditional" and a canopy or incense are used; if we go to Mass to look at the laity and how they dress or pray or if there are altar girls or woman at the sanctuary, then this is problematic.  We did not internalize the spirituality behind these rituals. 

Furthermore, if we go about saying that the Mass has to be Latin or that Latin and church bells have some power over the devil than English or any other language, then we have turned Latin into an idol. Only God has power!  Languages are man-made social constructs!  They have no power over the devil unless God is behind the language directly!  We need to be careful not to perform and exaggerate piety. Piety is great, but only if it helps us focus on Christ and be more like Him. If piety brings us to an echo chamber where we sit in and voice our rants and pinpoint others, then it is useless. We need to be doers of the word and not hearers! We need to put the Word into action the right way that directs to Christ and is focused on Him! We need to put an end to rigid ritualism.

As we ponder these readings, we are encouraged to ask ourselves how we can better embody these teachings in our daily lives. How can we demonstrate wisdom and intelligence through our adherence to God's laws? How can we be doers of the word in a world that often values words over actions? And how can we ensure that our hearts remain pure in a world filled with distractions and temptations?

The readings for September 1, 2024, challenge us to be witnesses of God's love and commandments in a world that is in dire need of authentic Christian witness. They call us to be beacons of light in the darkness, living out the teachings of Christ not just in words, but through our actions and the purity of our hearts.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Do Not Hate

Today's readings deal with being holy and loving one another, even enemies.

The first reading reminds us that we have to be holy. Holy like God is holy. This is a a big requirement. It shows that God wants us to be like Him.  Not like gods like Hercules, but a reflection of Him.  How do we do this?  The first reading tells us.  We have to avoid holding in hatred. I know we all have someone or some people we want to push down a flight of stairs, however, this is not the way to go! We must not keep hate in our hearts, even against people who hurt us.

A few days ago, Americans and others celebrated St. Valentine's day. On this day, some celebrate new love while others recall tainted love. I saw on the news a report on a new company that is profiting off of the latter. This company actually brings about revenge against former lovers. It is despicable and completely against what we are told in today's first reading. We cannot hate. Hate cannot be in a Christian's life. We can dislike people, but not hate them. Each person is different and behaves differently for a number of reasons. We may never know why a co-worker is a pain in the you know what, or why a relative is a jerk. We cannot perceive the introspection of others. In light of this, we must try to understand that each person is different and may have had bad experiences that molded him or her to be the way they are. Our job is to reflect Christ to them so that they can hopefully change that conditioning they received in life. Revenge is never the answer. We have to love each other and bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:13). Most human drama is just that, petty drama. There is no reason to hold hate in our hearts or grudges. Studies show that stress causes illness. It is a poison! Why hold stress, hate and grudges in our lives?  We are only hurting ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

We have to be merciful and kind because God is merciful and kind to us, as we are told in the responsorial Psalm. God is always with us. We must bless His name always.  He never forgets us or His promises.  God is quick to forgive our sins and errors in life.  All we have to do is go to confession and make a sincere resolve to change. We are God's temple, as the second reading tells us.  God dwells in us. Think about this for a moment. God, the God of the universe; of all that is seen and unseen makes His home in us.  If that does not speak of awesomeness, I do not know what does!  We must respect our bodies and the bodies of others. Our bodies and the bodies of others belong to God.

God works in mysterious ways. His ways may confuse us at times. His foolishness is wisdom to us. I laugh when I hear professors and scientists mock God. They in their arrogance think they know more than the designer. It is silly.  Yet, the more they dive into studying nature, they become dumbfounded. They think they know it all, but the a new discovery has them back at the drawing board, so to speak.  We must be humble. It is in humility that we receive God's wisdom. If we think ourselves as sages, then God will sit back and not give us wisdom. Our pride will lead to our falling face-first to the pavement, metaphorically speaking (Proverbs 16:18).  God owns all things. We must seek understanding only in Him.

Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we cannot resort to revenge. He repeats the words found in Exodus 21 regarding taking a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. These were strict laws placed on primitive peoples in order to keep civilization going. In Judaism, this is the apoditic law.  The idea was common in ancient Mesopotamia and can be found in Hammurabi's Law Code. The Talmud presents this verse as a form of monetary compensation and not physical retaliation as in the case of how the Sadducees interpreted it.  In any event, this law is not imposed on Christians.  Christ taught a new way of carrying out this law. Instead of taking an "eye for an eye," whether in a Jewish tort case or in a physical manner as in the case of the Sadducee interpretation, Christ says to turn the other cheek and give your cloak if someone sues you for your tunic. This is a radical way of interpreting the law. Christ did this so as the remind the people (including us) that we are to be holy as God is holy. We cannot get caught up in laws and regulations as if Earth is our final destination.

This is why Pope Francis speaks of not being rigid. We must work on our souls. This means bearing things for the sake of God. We must "turn the other cheek" if someone strikes us. Now, this does not mean we cannot defend ourselves. We have a right to self-preservation.  In Jesus' time, the use of hands had a specific ritualistic meaning.  Striking someone on the cheek was a sign of asserting dominance and authority.  However, if the one being struck turned his or her cheek, this would be problematic because the left hand was used to purposes regarding unclean situations. The turning of the cheek was a sign of demanding equality.  Moreover, we must love our neighbor and enemy.  Many times, they can be the same!  How many times has a friend betrayed us? We must pray for them and our enemies, not hate or curse them.  The sun shines on all people, good and bad. God is just and treats everyone equally.  Taking an eye for an eye creates two blind people.  We must be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. This means to love one another and be merciful. Holding hate and grudges does no good to anyone. It will not change any situation for the better.  Let us love one another as we love ourselves and try our best to be holy and perfect as God is holy and perfect.  May Jesus Christ be praised!



Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021917.cfm


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Here are some reflections on holy writers:

Beyond the tolerance of physical injury, the Lord wants us also to have contempt for things of this world and to be so far removed from every lawsuit or contest of judgment. If by chance a slanderer or tempter comes forward to initiate a lawsuit for the sake of testing our faith and desires to rob us of the things which are ours, the Lord orders us to offer willingly not only the things that the person goes after unjustly but even those not demanded.
— St. Chromatius
(360 - 407)


Source: “Tractate on Matthew, 25.2.1,” quoted in Manlio Simonetti, ed., Matthew 1–13, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 104. 

Just as Joseph lost his cloak in the hand of the prostitute and fled dressed with a better cloak, so throw your cloak into the hands of the slanderer and flee with the better covering of justice. If not, while you want to reclaim the clothes of the body, you may squander the most precious clothing of the soul. If the unbelievers see you, a Christian, repay injuries with worse injuries by worldly means and hammer earthly judgments against a lawless plunderer even to the destruction of your soul, how should they believe in reality of the hope of the heavenly kingdom that Christians preach? For they who hope for heavenly things easily spurn earthly things. Yet I doubt that those who strongly embrace worldly things believe firmly in heavenly promises.
— Anonymous
(c. 300)


Source: "Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 12,” quoted in Manlio Simonetti, ed., Matthew 1–13, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 

If we think that only this is all that is taught about almsgiving, then there are many poor to whom it cannot apply. And even the wealthy can give forever, if they are always giving. For the sake of goodness, therefore, this doctrine of almsgiving was given to the apostles: that they who have freely received should freely give. Money of that sort is never lacking. As much as is given, by that much it is increased, and though the fountain water drench the fields below, it never runs dry.
— St. Jerome
(347 - 420)


Source: “Commentary on Matthew, 1.5.42,” quoted in Manlio Simonetti, ed., Matthew 1–13, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 119.