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February 12, 2019
In the first reading we are told that everything God created was good. How truly powerful is God and how generous is he to us!
As with the Pharisees and lawyers of the Law in today’s Gospel reading, many honor him only with lip-service. Many have made religion the following of human regulations and traditions, which enable them to void God’s key commandments of loving our fellows.
In many cultures there are many traditions which go against God’s commandment by giving importance to useless things.. As Christians we should speak out against such practices and traditions. Christians should reject superstitious beliefs, erroneous customs, discriminatory attitudes towards women and disadvantaged groups, adoration of idols and religious fanaticism. Even in our Catholic religion we should reject erroneous beliefs, practices and priorities.
Christ stresses that God’s ways are much simpler and are based on his commandment of love of God and neighbor. Let us love God and neighbor and reject meaningless practices and traditions.
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One Bread, One Body
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All Issues > Volume 35, Issue 2
<< Tuesday, February 12, 2019 >>
Genesis 1:20—2:4
View Readings Psalm 8:4-9 Mark 7:1-13
Similar Reflections
MOVING TWICE
“This people pays Me lip service but their heart is far from Me. Empty is the reverence they do Me.” —Mark 7:6-7
Are you a person after God’s own heart who will carry out His every wish? (see Acts 13:22) Have you given your heart to the Lord? Is your heart beating as one with the Lord’s heart? Is your heart close to or far from the Lord?
It is difficult to know our hearts (see Jer 17:9). However, the Lord has given us a way to judge the position of our hearts. Jesus said: “Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be” (Lk 12:34). If your treasure is in the bank, an IRA, or a money market account, then your hearts may not be near “our Father Who art in heaven.” But if you “sell what you have and give alms” (Lk 12:33), you may be re-investing your treasures in heaven. This can transfer your heart to heaven. Then your heart will be near the Lord, your reverence will not be empty, and you will not be self-serving but God-serving (see Mk 7:6). Therefore, move your heart by moving your money and possessions to the Lord.
Prayer: Father, may I not put my heart in the wrong place.
Promise: “God created man in His image; in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them, saying: ‘Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.’ “ —Gn 1:27-28
Praise: Mark regularly gives to both his parish and the missions.