RBWords

     In a church that is rich with traditions that seem to have "always been there," Jesus' criticism of the Pharisees could make many of us uncomfortable.  Many of our gestures and practices and devotions have been fostered and approved for centuries!  Yet, Jesus calls us to look carefully at all of these lest we "nullify the word of God in favor of [our] tradition."  He calls it "hypocrisy" if we claim to be following God's law when we are actually simply reinforcing the customs of a particular time and place that were carried to other places, especially when this results in our ignoring the fundamental dignity of others.  The example he gives is the dodge by the Pharisees that enabled them to avoid supporting aging parents by declaring resources unavailable for that due to a "sacred" designation.  Maybe an example of this would be refusing to help someone in need because the money would be handy for donating to the new stained glass window at the church!

     Some traditions owe their source to a desire to promote devotion and reverence, which are worthy goals.  But when these traditions lose their meaning simply by habitual repetition, it is time to look at them carefully.  If a non-Catholic friend asks, "Why do Catholics...…" and we don't know the answer to it beyond "It's just what we do.  I don't know the reason.  Ask the priest," we need to give some thought to what we are doing.  If our language says, "I can't help you now, I have to get such and such a devotion done before such and such a time!" it is then the time that we need to refocus on the gospel.

     Jesus calls us to a continual conversion.  This means not just us individually but also as a church.  Our faith is not a matter of "observances" (hallowed though they may be) but a genuine love of God and neighbor.  All of us, from Pope to pew person need to remember this.  AMEN