First Reading: Dt 4:1-2.6-8; Psalm: 15. R. v. 1a; Second Reading: Jas 1:17-18.21b-22.27; Gospel: Mk 7:1-8.14-15.21-23  

DOING THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP  

The first and foremost rule of table etiquette is the washing of hands before meal. It is unwise to eat with unwashed hands especially when the hands are filthy. This might as well require soap and water for cleaner hygienic hands. The least we could do in the absence of soap and water is to use a hand sanitizer or any other hygienic means. But to completely ignore hand washing is not a wise thing to do. Cleanliness is an imperative table etiquette. Apparently, the disciples of Jesus did not violate this common rule. What instead they were accused of in the gospel of today was neglecting ritual washing; a religious purification peculiar to the Jewish religion which was becoming an imposing practice at that time. How was this ritual carried out?  And what was it all about?

The Ritual washing of the Jews was done in a specified manner that must be followed strictly. First, they must dust their hands of any sand or soil. Secondly, they must use water preserved clean in a stone jar for this ceremonial rite. Then with fingertips pointing upward, a specified quantity of water from the stone jar was poured over the hands until it runs down to the wrists. One hand then washes the other. And to end it, more water will be poured over the hands to rinse, but this time around with the fingertips pointing downward. For the Jews, to skip any of these steps or requirements violates the rite of ritual washing and renders one unclean in the sight of God. This was what the disciples of Jesus was accused of not doing.

But does this have anything to do with holiness of life or keeping the commandments? This was just a practice which over time became a religious tradition. So how does this make one unclean before God? By commanding this, the Pharisees contravened the command of Moses in our first reading of today: “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (v. 2). To this end, Jesus chastised the Pharisees using the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘“This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men”’ (v. 6-8). This is misplacement of priority; confusing lesser things with the most important things. What God desires is interior holiness and not external piety.

We can be guilty of this in so many ways. Giving so much attention and energy to less important things that we neglect what truly matters. We can devote time and energy to pray three times a day, and even fast; but lack sincere love and are blind to the anger and hate we harbour in our hearts for a neighbour. We can incessantly pick on the mistakes and dislikes in our spouse and fail to see the love and sacrifices they put in the relationship. We can set high standards for our children and make choices that will shape their future; but have we ever paused to observe if what we do make them feel happy and fulfilled? We can remain fixated on our past mistakes and fail to see that the present and the future are full of endless possibilities to bring the best out of us. We can criticise the government for their ineptitude and retrogressive policies but become indifferent in exercising our franchise. We can be engrossed by the consciousness of tribe, race, colour, and nationality that we become biased and make choices that will hamper our good, happiness and well-being. Sometimes, what we spend time and energy doing distracts us from the things that can improve our lives and the lives of others.

Giving so much attention and energy to less important things while neglecting what truly matters also plays out in pretentious lifestyles. When instead of living authentic life we manifest falsehood. We claim we love God but are full of hate towards a neighbour. We claim we love our Church but are unwilling to assist the Church pastorally, financially and otherwise. We claim to love our spouse and children but are selfish and ungenerous to their basic needs, and scarcely create time to converse and bond with them. We claim to love our friends but are unwilling to make sacrifices for them when they are in dire need of help. Jesus disapproves of this manner of life when he said: “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (v. 6). External piety is empty when there is nothing to show for it.

Today, Jesus holds a mirror up to our faces that we may see our true selves. We can take heed and repent or choose to remain in our sins. But St James in our second reading of today advises: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (v. 22). We are as guilty as the Pharisees in the days of Jesus. If we are honest with ourselves, we know this is true. True spirituality is from within. External piety is a waste of time if it does not reflect in works of charity and true love towards one’s neighbour.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, help us to respond to your enabling grace, that we may do what really matters and not be distracted by less important things. Amen.