LinearTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B (Y-not question the Sunday Readings)
![[image]](http://www.catholica.com.au/sunday/images/Y-not010912_an_640x166.gif)
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
September 2, 2012
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Responsorial Psalm: 15
Reading 2: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
--For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
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. --
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?"
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;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
"Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.
"From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile."
• • • •
After a five-week interlude with Chapter 6 of the Gospel of John, the Lectionary returns to the writings of the evangelist Mark – Chapter 7, with a dispute instigated by the Pharisees, about the importance to be given to human traditions, especially where these become stumbling stones. I need to place myself in Mark's story to see the pitfalls my brother Jesus teaches me to be aware of and avoid.
To gain an idea of the context of this episode I have looked into some works of scholars and theologians. In particular one writer, John J. Pilch, The Culture World of Jesus, gives me a feel for the times. From another resource I have learned correct terms and proper names in original Hebrew.
I always need to remember that the New Testament is really a Jewish book, written by 1st century Jews, and is mostly about Jews. Mark’s gospel is written about 40 years after Yeshuas’ death and resurrection into the lives of his followers. Our 21st century faith experience is derived from a 1st century Jewish cultural experience, that of the followers of Yeshua bar Yosef from Natzeret.
The confrontation between Yeshua and the P'rushim, according to Pilch, has to do not only with authority, but with honor, a dynamic of great importance in the culture of that world:
The middle-eastern Mediterranean culture is honor-based where conflict is unavoidable. All males must engage either in public display of honor or in challenges to the honor claims of others. The P’rushim (Pharisees) and their To-rah-teachers (scribes) routinely spy on Yeshua and his talmidim (disciples) in order to challenge their growing honorable reputation. (J. Pilch)
After reading Pilch’s insights, the picture that pops vividly into my mind is a flock of roosters strutting about, showing their importance to others. The P’rushim are the “big guns” of the culture holding sway over others. The P’rushim (“similar to our modern day temple police”) always on the scene, rigidly determined the correct way to be strict and faithful Jew, and all Jews must follow these traditions to the letter.
[In this gospel reading the P’rushim challenge Yeshuas’ talmidim (disciples) failure to observe “The Tradition of the Elders.” The “tradition of the elders” is described by modern anthropologists as “The Great Tradition,” that is, a set of practices defined, maintained and practiced by elites who lived in the cities. In this instance the n’tilat-yadayim, ritual handwashing up to the wrists. The P’rushim required that everyone observe this urban tradition. (J. Pilch)
I reflect on my own family stories and time-honored traditions maintained and handed down from one generation to the next. Over time, new nuances are assimilated by the younger folk enhancing the traditions with additional flavors. Even with special family traditions, we remain flexible but yet keep those important traditions alive.
The Jewish culture of the 1st century was regulated by many ritual purity requirements.
“The P’rushim, and in fact all the Jews, holding fast to the Tradition of the Elders,
do not eat unless they have given their hands a ceremonial washing.”
“Also, when they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless
they have rinsed their hands up to the wrist;
and they adhere to many other traditions,
such as washing cups, pots and vessels.
According to the P’rushim’ strict take on customs (laws) handed down from generation to generation, Jews who did not rigidly follow the Jewish purification requirements…committed sin. This elite segment of the Jewish culture wore horse-blinders, narrowly focusing their vision on what they thought was only important in Jewish lives, and what all Jews should strictly follow.
What burdens in my life do I continue to carry that blind my eyes, deafen my ears, and harden my heart from hearing the Spirit’s call to become more than I am today?
Yeshua was radical in what he taught and how he saw life. He saw with a peripheral vision, much greater than I am capable of at times. But, I must be aware that there is more to be considered, right before my eyes, than I really am capable of taking in at any particular moment. I must do my best to see through Yeshuas’ eyes, to look at my life, at the world around me, and become aware of what I need to change in my life, before I am able to share with others how I understand Yeshua’s teachings.
What also blinds my eyes from seeing life as Yeshua sees, that I need to be attentive to?
Mark’s Yeshua did not directly answer the P’rushim posturing question, but counters with an insult.
"Well did Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) prophesy about you hypocrites,”
Mark’s Yeshua confronts the P’rushim, before the assembled crowd, by calling them hypocrites, intimating that they are not genuine in their attitudes. In another way, he is stating that Scripture is the lines they quote, but not the true script by which they live.
Yeshua responds with quoting Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 29:13 against his opponents. It is an especially honorable skill for a male to be able to draw creatively upon tradition in the heat of conflict or a discussion. The P’rushim hoped to shame Yeshua, but Yeshua shames them instead by insulting them, quoting Scripture creatively, and hurling a counterchallenge: they value their human tradition much more than the To-rah, the Law of Moshe (Moses). (J. Pilch)
Mark’s Yeshua is very astute in understanding the direction the P’rushim are trying to lead him, when he goes for the jugular with:
“You depart from God's commands and hold onto human tradition."
Am I so rigidly locked into human made dogmas, doctrines, rituals, traditions, and a myriad of other religious non-essentials that hampers my ability to develop in my relationship with God?
Surrounding Yeshuas’ encounter with the P’rushim the gathered crowd in Mark’s Gospel story is overlooked. Can I picture myself as part of this crowd, listening and wondering about this man Yeshua and taking in all that he is teaching?
Because publicity is the essential hallmark of honor claims and challenges, the crowd plays a critical role. The gospel text does not explicitly say that the crowd sided with Yeshua, but the context appears to indicate that they did. In the crowd’s judgment, Yeshua won this skirmish with the P’rushim. (J. Pilch)
I have looked closely at the Gospel passages selected for today's reading. Some verses are omitted, perhaps just to keep the segment to a manageable size, but I consider the omissions sapping some of the strength out of Mark’s gospel message.
(Vs 9 -13) “Indeed,” Yeshua said to them: “you have made a fine art of departing from God’s command in order to keep your traditions! For Moshe said: ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say, “If someone says to his father or mother, “I have promised as a korban” (that is, as a gift to God), “what I might have used to help you,” then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus, with your tradition which you had handed down to you, you nullify the Word of God! And you do other things like this.”
(Vs 16-20) ’Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!’
When he had left the people and entered the house, his talmidim asked him about the parable. He replied to them, “So you too are without understanding? Don’t you see that nothing going into a person from the outside can make that person unclean? For it goes not into their heart but into their stomach and passes into the sewer?” (Thus he pronounced all foods ritually clean.)
What Yeshua says in these edited out passages I take as a cuff upside the head. That unexpected thump to get my undivided attention to what he has just said. “To get with the program,” so I make the necessary adjustments in my life and thinking to live in God’s truth. In the same manner, Yeshua is very aware of people’s “tunnel vision.” The P’rushim are not getting what he is saying. I sense that Yeshua is really frustrated at their lack of understanding in the truth he speaks.
At this point in the story, the architects of the Lectionary have manipulated the gospel text and changed the evangelist’s setting. According to Mark, Yeshuas’ statement about defiling and non-defiling foods is a “parable.” He meant what he said but also intended something other and something more. (J. Pilch)
Mark further emphasizes Yeshuas’ frustration when, in the house, he astonishingly asks his own talmidim: ‘Even you - don’t you understand?’
I can readily picture myself within that smaller assembly in the house. I sense Yeshua looking directly at me, wanting to raise his voice and shout at me in particular: “Not again? Why are you so slow in grasping the truths I teach to you my friend? Oh, for God’s sake! Wake up!”
Instead, Yeshua continues with a more detailed explanation to his talmidim, about what is consumed as food nourishment for the body. I hear him say that the food I eat does it not pass through my heart, but directly into my stomach and then out to the sewer? The final result of that bodily process is what is considered as unclean. Yeshua is saying in our modern parlance “this isn’t rocket science.”
The ending passage in today’s Gospel, Yeshua did not say it to the crowd as I am lead to think, but only to his talmidim, so they would clearly understand all that he previously said to the P’rushim and the gathered crowd:
"From within, out of a person’s heart, come forth wicked thoughts,
sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
indecency, envy, slander, arrogance, foolishness.
All these wicked things come from within, and they make a person unclean."
Yeshua, as I understand, is emphatically pointing out to his talmidim the hidden holdings of mind and heart, that I must be conscious of that interfere with my relationship with others and with God.
These are human weaknesses and failings, I can easily to fall into, that make me unclean spiritually. Like stones on the path of my journey through life that must be avoided.
I have so much yet to learn from Yeshua. He is telling me that I have the freedom to choose, to think differently, and come to my own conclusions on what traditions to embrace. Not just blindly accept what the P’rushim tell me I must do to be a faithful to God. Life here in Ginosar (Gennesaret) is difficult enough. I don’t need to carry the extra burdens they wish to impose on my life with their demands of keeping traditions.
This chapter in Mark’s Gospel story abruptly ends at this point. But… there has to be more. I really want to know more of the story. The gospels chapters are like old black and white “B-flick-cliff-hangers.” Does the scene just end in stunned silence? Has all that Yeshua said to them just gone in one ear and out the other to be forgotten? I often wonder, what side conversations developed among the talmidim, and with Yeshua? Whose house did Yeshua and the talmidim enter, where the conversation and teaching continued? Did the gathered crowd stay listening, by the doorway and windows? So much is left for us 21st century readers and faithful to ponder and question.
Joe
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B
Joe, thanks for this really informative look at the gospel for this week. Looking at the bare text, I forget there is a back story, all the cultural influences that come into play.
You are right that traditions can become a burden. I wonder if in those days, when people were not so knowledgeable about health, if the only way to have the general populace observe sensible measures that promoted health and prevented the spread of infection was to make them religious rules? But of course, that can develop into exaggeration and excess and be an unnecessary burden on people. And feed superstition...'if I don't do this correctly, something terrible will happen...'
I particularly like your question,
'Am I so rigidly locked into human made dogmas, doctrines, rituals, traditions, and a myriad of other religious non-essentials that hampers my ability to develop in my relationship with God?'
What particular, present-day aspects of Catholic tradition do you see as being a burden? And I suppose beliefs and dogmas can be unnecessary burdens too? What do you think? This seems to tie in with the other current discussion that Brian has begun on jettisoning excess theological baggage.
As a corollary, what beliefs and practices are of value and worth keeping?
Once upon a time, as a young wife and mother living in a remote area, I chose to go to the barbecue that the company my husband worked for, put on for staff every Sunday night, instead of going to the one Mass that was available. Having rarely missed Sunday Mass in all of my life before that, I was surprised to find I did not miss it. In fact it was a relief to put that burden down. I think of that year as the year I stopped going to Mass and started thinking about God. It heralded the start of a spiritual journey that continued for the rest of my life - and led me through several of the world's religions.
Perhaps there is much that could be put aside in the demands the Church makes of us.
Sue
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B...additional thoughts
Sue,
Thank you for your very kind words. Thanks especially to Tony Lawless, for his wisdom, support and direction in preparing my thoughts to write this reflection on the Gospel reading for this Sunday.
Very interestingly, several of this week’s commentaries those of Graham English, Brian Pitts, and the continuing conversation started by Brian Coyne “Jettisoning the excess baggage…,” which I have yet to read through all the comments. I think that they may parallel in many different ways my own thoughts on this reflection.
You bring up many questions, which I believe, can only be answered by each individual in their own way. It will be difficult for some to face issues presented and make the choice to let go of a burden(s). We as Catholics, especially from childhood, have been so indoctrinated by parochial education, given explicit answers to questions about God, life, sexuality, faith, etc., we had no idea that needed to be asked at that early age. From early childhood, we were ingrained with fear.
We were told that we were born stained with original sin, that was “immaculately removed" when we were baptized into the RCC, and becoming forever a “card carrying Catholic.” We were "saved," but yet we will remain sinners; as defined by RCC teachings; in need of repentance provided only by the RCC.
We were given all the certitudes needed to live life as the RCC required of us, to keep us "docile and simple-minded." This is how the RCC hierarchy wants every Christian/Catholic and the entire human race to remain. What better control of people’s minds and hearts? We all were born into this world doomed, and doomed we shall remain. But, if we follow everything that the RCC teaches we will be saved and have eternal life. Is this what God envisioned for humanity, to become fully human, to be controlled by an elite, narrow-minded caste of males?
Did Jesus really teach this line of horse road-apples?
What really got my attention this week Wednesday was a post by Clammer, #111424 with a link to a book review by Suzette Standring, on The Theology of Fear, written by a 73 year old RC priest, Emmett Coyne.
Coyne writes on how RCC theology from the very beginning is based on fear, of God, and of almost everything about living life. A theology of fear to maintain control of people’s minds and hearts. Truth cannot be found anywhere in the world, expect through the RCC and it’s strict interpretation of Scripture and its Traditions. It is a most interesting read, and may be disturbing to some. I can see Benedict XVI soon putting it on his recommended reading list of “banned books.”
Here are a few excepts:
Christians still serve the Kool-Aid of fear, as it gets people to comply immediately, just as parents default to fear tactics to get instant compliance from children. Paul says, “Love is patient.”
But fear is impatient. It demands prompt results.
It is the mission of an institution that believes it has an inspired, revealing message to enable people to be “perfected in love.” If the RCC’s catechesis was the praxis of love, it would nurture persons to treat others as others wish to be treated. But its theology of fear instead focuses on punishment, which leads to ongoing recidivism.
Grace and freedom from the Law were promoted by Paul, but not by the RCC. It created its own extensive and oppressive laws to control members. It outdid the 613 Jewish commandments with a code of Canon Law that once swelled to more than 2,400 canons (now slimmed down to a mere 1,752). The Theology of Fear – Emmett Coyne
I can readily relate to what he is writing. I have struggled with many of the issues he writes about, which I have found to be freeing me of burdens that I have carried for years. Even burdens I shucked off years ago about RCC ideology are validated.
Joe
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B...additional thoughts
Today's Reflection by Fr Ron Rolheiser fits in perfectly with what we are discussing - how to discard the spiritual and physical baggage we accumulate over a lifetime, and the difficulty of deciding what is necessary for the remainder of our journey.
I am excited by the way so many pieces of the great jigsaw seems to be coming together, in so many people reaching the conclusion that we are carrying too much clutter from the past, and that it is impeding our journey through life.
Now, for the cupboards, which are overstocked, and, at the same time, for the heart and mind which are in worse condition. Spring cleaning this year will be interesting.
J A Holznagel
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B...additional thoughts
"Now, for the cupboards, which are overstocked, and, at the same time, for the heart and mind which are in worse condition. Spring cleaning this year will be interesting."
What a wonderful image
Maitland
lockedTime for a spring clean! Sunday Readings 22nd B...additional thoughts
Judith, I like your spring cleaning idea, especially with spring just arrived. Maybe a Catholic spring?
Don't know about you but when I clean out a cupboard or a desk I take everything out first, do the clean, then think twice about what I put back. And if you are moving house, as I think you did recently, then you know how hard it can be to discard things, especially where there is some sentimental value.
The only problem with a Catholic spring clean is that we might take everything out, get rid of the rubbish, then decide we prefer that pristine emptiness and put nothing back!
On the other hand, discarding things bit by bit can be just too hard. Too easy to put it off until next time.
I think Joe is right though, in that it has to be an individual decision. In a way I am grateful to the Church for all that unsuccessful childhood indoctrination and the challenges it posed. It made me into a thinking adult who had to go in search of truth for myself and to resist the emotional pressures to accept the beliefs and practices imposed in childhood.
What would you put back in the cupboard?
Sue
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B
by Jerome 
, Saturday, September 01, 2012, 22:45 (260 days ago) @ Journeyman
Thank you Joe and all for your in depth reflections.
Here are my thoughts:
“For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.”
I recall a teacher who used to remind students not to bother saying anything unless it was intended to be helpful and constructive
It is the intention that is fundamental.
During Mass we pray, “......in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do”
From our intentions come thoughts, words and actions.
Jesus talked about hypocrites.
I imagine that we have all had experiences of people who seem to express the right thoughts, words and actions, but often at our cost we discovered that they had other underlying intentions that were less honourable.
"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made."
Jean Giraudoux (1882-1944)
One of the most incredibly confusing statements that has come out of the Vatican just recently was about the responsibility of the laity.
Zenit.org reported,
“Pope Calls Laity to Responsibility in the Church
Says a Change of Mentality Is Needed”
My feelings are that if the Pope meant what he said then it must be a serious criticism of the hierarchy that is preventing meaningful participation of the laity. “The laity” has been persistently denied the opportunity to take a greater share of responsibility in the Church by the hierarchy.
It seems to me that the great “Change of Mentality” is needed in that hierarchy rather than in the laity.
Christ was interested in challenging the Jewish culture and traditions in order to emphasise the core values, not the rituals.
Currently there are great discussions in this forum about those same issues.
I was struck especially by what Francis wrote:
"The Divine is the everywhere Presence.
The Spirit is the Movement of the Presence.
Divine Awareness is in creation and silence.
Jesus is the unique human expression of the Divine.
Jesus taught us how to live:
Love the Divine.
Love one another.
Share the bread and cup in remembrance."
It is what comes from within us that counts.
Exterior signs, traditions and rituals can be wonderful experiences that help us to inspire, to tune in our inner, heartfelt intentions and motivations.
Just look at some of the incredible moments of one of the world’s greatest modern rituals, the Olympic Games.
Such inspirational moments that are so powerful that they motivate a whole new group of people to aspire to greatness in their fields.
Such rituals are powerful forces energising our core values and aspirations.
It seems to me that the Jewish meal sharing traditions were like that, but today’s ritual, the Mass, has lost that inspirational impact for most people. It has become a process rather than a personal and interpersonal relationship.
But the core values are straightforward.
My intention must be to always seek to be a more loving, caring and compassionate person and to put that aim into practice in thought, word and deed.
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B
by Jerome , Monday, September 03, 2012, 21:15 (258 days ago) @ Jerome
Talking about INTENT here is a clip that scares me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd
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Traditions can be used to scare people!
by CathyT , Adelaide, South Australia, Monday, September 03, 2012, 22:32 (258 days ago) @ Jerome
I've come across this video before, Jerome, and I agree with you. It's very powerfully presented and it's scary! Whatever the rights or wrongs of the Church's stance on these issues, in a secular, democratic society Catholics (or any other specific group) should be allowed to vote according to their own individual consciences. And you'd have to wonder whether the "non-negotiable" issues are really the ones most in tune with the Gospels! I wonder if the US Bishops' Conference has distanced itself from this campaign and the group who is running it?
Cathy Taggart
I splash in my poetry puddle
and try to keep God amused. - James Broughton
lockedTraditions can be used to scare people!
by Jerome , Tuesday, September 04, 2012, 09:08 (257 days ago) @ CathyT
The group who is running it:
‘Catholics Called to Witness’
http://www.cc2w.org/
Other supporter:
Orthodox Network - Shining the Light of Wisdom and Truth
http://www.orthodoxnet.com/
Huffington Post comments:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/17/election-2012-catholic-voter_n_1433032.html
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B
Hi,Journeyman.What a wonderful approch to interpret scripture reading.I like it,it is touching and inspiring.You have proved that Scripture is what we make of it.I specialy like the way you have applied the scripture to present day church authorties,becoming burden for the people.You have also shown the existential significance of Jesus for us today and his revlutionay ideas that distrub his listeners.He puts everything ups and down to lead through darkness.
lockedTraditions…can they become burdens? Sunday Readings 22nd B
by georgeh , Sunday, September 02, 2012, 08:54 (259 days ago) @ Journeyman
Thanks for the reflection Joe.
For me, a lot of it comes down to relationships, with my God and neighbour?!
I remember in the past when we all had to go to church and I expected my family to do the same.
Then at times I didn't feel too well at church 'cause some of the hastles it caused to get there.
But I always remember God telling me to get it right with my neighbour first before coming to Him/Her?!
georgeh
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Did Jesus waste his breath on these sort of homilies?
by Brian Coyne 
, LINDEN, NSW, Sunday, September 02, 2012, 12:33 (259 days ago) @ georgeh
Given what has become of the church — one now led by pharisaical elements who place the emphases in all the wrong places, and with the great majority across the Western world now exiled from their own spiritual home — did Jesus waste his breath on these sort of homilies?
![[image]](http://catholica.com.au/images/CatholicaICO_30x30.jpg)
Brian Coyne
[Editor & Publisher]
lockedWhat comes from the heart
by CathyT , Adelaide, South Australia, Sunday, September 02, 2012, 12:40 (259 days ago) @ Journeyman
Thank you Joe for this excellent reflection. I would say, though, that you have a deeper understanding of what Jesus is on about than what you give yourself credit for.
Thank you in particular for going to the trouble of doing research into the cultural context of the Gospel stories. Without this background knowledge, we can't really get the full significance of the events and the sayings of Jesus which we read in the texts. You have inspired me to read Pilch's book myself, if I can get hold of it.
As you and other people in this thread point out, in this passage Jesus emphasises the importance of focusing on what really comes from the heart, and what strengthens our relationship with God and others, rather than assuming that if we obey all the rules then we're right with God! I also like the way, Joe, that you point out how the passage seems to end abruptly, leaving the reader or hearer with the feeling that there's a lot more to be said. Often, Christians seem to have assumed that there is just one right way of interpreting the Gospels and the Bible in general. However, I've come to the conclusion that the great strength of the Bible, and maybe the Gospels in particular, is this very open-endedness, that is, its openness to many different interpretations and adaptations. If people of any nation, any culture and any period of history are to live according to the Bible, and still live according to what makes sense to them, and what truly comes from their heart, then this flexibility is essential. Of course, I'm not saying that people can make of the Bible (or the Gospels) whatever they want. As Jesus himself says in another Gospel passage, the basis of it all is love of God and love of neighbour. Jesus challenges us to live out that ideal in whatever way is most authentic for us in our particular time and circumstances.
Cathy Taggart
I splash in my poetry puddle
and try to keep God amused. - James Broughton
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