Sunday Homily
Today’s Gospel reading is from the Gospel according to Mark. Scripture scholars tell us that Mark was the first Gospel written, about 30 – 40 years after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. The Gospel was written to a Gentile audience, unfamiliar with Jewish customs.
We just heard God, through Moses, in the first reading, say “you shall not add to what I command, nor subtract from it. What is the first thing the Pharisees do in the Gospel? They add to it. Then, we heard James in the second reading say “every perfect gift is from above”…in this case, God’s word. James says “the word has been planted in you…welcome it.” Then he says, be doers of the word, not hearers only.”
And then we have the Pharisees, those that Jesus refers to as “hypocrites”.
Since last Sunday there have been seven daily Gospel readings. On four of these seven days Jesus speaks to us saying the words “Woe to you hypocrites” = the Pharisees. He said it in Monday’s Gospel, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s daily Gospel. He said it in today’s Gospel, and even refers to Isaiah’s words: ‘Woe to those who honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’: a perfect description of the Pharisees. “You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” You Pharisees…you hypocrites.
The word hypocrite, in one form or another, is in the bible 39 times, and 22 of these times are straight from the mouth of Jesus. Definitions of this word are actor, showy, empty of religion, pretended but unpracticed, holier than thou, self-righteous.
We heard in today’s Gospel passage about the behavior of these pharisees/hypocrites. they say: why do your disciples not keep with the traditions of the elders. These “traditions of the elders were not the law of Moses, but purely traditions the Jewish elders had added…to the Law of Moses. We just heard God say through Moses in the first reading say “you shall not add to what I command you. nor subtract from it.” And here are the Pharisees chastising Jesus and his disciples for not “keeping with the traditions” that the Pharisees had added. Directly violating what God told them.
Jesus’ response to all of this is: you Pharisees “disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition”.
Well, what is God’s commandment that they disregard? When the Pharisees asked Jesus this very question a little later in Mark’s Gospel (trap), they ask: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus responded: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Jesus calls us not to act like the Pharisees, being critical, put on airs, acting self-righteously, holier than thou, but to Love one another. The whole law is based on…love! The whole of Israel’s history, beginning with Abraham, and fulfilled by Jesus, is based on Love!
So, as Jesus says: “I came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” What is the law, Jesus? Love! Love God and love one another. Don’t be like the Pharisees.
- “Love one another as I have loved you.”
- “So faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love”. 1 Cor.
- Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. God is love. 1 John 4
- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Romans 12:10
- By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35
- Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
- For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not die, but have eternal life. John 3:16
So, how do we do that…really, functionally…in September of 2024…2,000 years later? Well, Jesus told us…specifically, in his own words:
- Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
- But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4
- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
- Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you say to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is that? James 2:15-16
Love! Love is the answer. It sounds like the words to a song from the 60’s. But it’s as we’ve heard this morning, it’s God’s words…all with a central focus and direction, beginning with Abraham, all those thousands of years pointing to, and ending up in Christ Jesus, who said “the whole law and the prophets depend on this.
So, that’s a great philosophical message, or maybe even a theological message. But it’s not that easy is it?
What about that brother that you haven’t talked to in 30 years, or sister/mother/father/daughter/son. Call them up and go talk to them. Forgive them. Or ask them to forgive you.
What about the best friend who haven’t talked to in 5 or 10 years, you miss so badly you still cry about her when you’re alone. Go see her.
What about that homeless person on the corner, that you can tell really is homeless. Roll down your window and hand them a dollar.
Your boss is self-righteous…stop talking about her and pray for her, here in this church, this morning…you will be a better, happier person…it is proven to work!
What about those people who look or dress differently than you do? Or who are unsure who they are as a person? Talk to them…be kind, be compassionate. Allow His love to be brought to full expression in you.
What about the person in the grocery – the young mother or father – who you know can’t afford to buy much. Don’t say “I was there once…it builds character.” Be compassionate, maybe anonymously.
We all deal with some of these issues…I know I certainly do! And we don’t have enough time this morning to hear about all my issues in this regard. That’s why we have reconciliation – for me.
For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son, that we may have eternal life.
God bless you.