2024

22nd Sunday of Year B

September 1, 2024 Introduction

INTRODUCTION

HOLY SEE

HOMILIES

MUSIC

CHILDREN

PRAYERS

COMMENTARY

BRANT PITREFR. O'MAHONYFR. MARTINHECTOR MOLINA

SOURCE: The Mass Readings Explained

Jesus emphasizes the importance of upholding certain traditions in Christianity while warning against the hypocrisy of human traditions that contradict God’s commandments.

KEY INSIGHTS w/ Timestamps

00:00 📜 Jesus acknowledges the importance of certain traditions while warning against hypocrisy in their practice.
01:08 🍷 Jesus observes certain Jewish traditions, like celebrating Passover with wine, while rejecting others that contradict God's commandments.
01:37 🔍 Human traditions are ultimately insignificant as they fail to address the core issues.
01:44 📖 Certain traditions in Christianity are binding and must be interpreted in context, as emphasized in biblical passages like 2nd Thessalonians 2:15.
02:06 📜 Paul urges Christians to firmly uphold the traditions taught by Jesus, whether spoken or written.
02:22 📜 Apostolic traditions, whether written or oral, must be upheld as binding by the Church, distinguishing them from man-made traditions that contradict God's Word.

SOURCE: Hearers of the Word

The evolution of early Christianity emphasizes the importance of inner purity and genuine faith over human traditions and external rituals, advocating for the inclusion of Gentiles and a compassionate understanding of God’s commandments.

KEY INSIGHTS w/ Timestamps

00:00 🔍 Mark 7 highlights the need for reflection, change, and inclusion in early Christianity's evolution of faith and community.
- Mark 7 explores themes of reflection and understanding in the context of the gospel.
- Mark chapter 7 explores the challenges of change and inclusion in early Christianity, emphasizing the necessity of evolution in faith and community.
02:39 🕊️ Jesus confronts the Pharisees for valuing human traditions over God's commandments, emphasizing that true defilement comes from within the heart.
- Pharisees criticize Jesus' disciples for not following hand-washing traditions, but Jesus rebukes them for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments.
- Evil intentions and actions come from within the human heart, not from external sources, and traditions can lead to the rejection of God's commandments.
06:02 🍽️ Jesus declared all foods clean, emphasizing compassion over legalism, while Paul supported Gentile inclusion in Christianity.
- Jesus' declaration of all foods as clean reflects an important evolution in early Christianity, highlighted by discussions in the Acts of the Apostles and Mark.
- Jesus prioritized compassion and mercy over legalism and ritual laws, while Paul advocated for the inclusion of Gentiles in Christianity by challenging the necessity of these laws.
09:05 🌍 The inclusion of Gentiles in Christianity is emphasized through key events in Acts, showcasing early Christians' independent discernment of faith without direct teachings from Jesus.
- The inclusion of Gentiles in Christianity is highlighted through the accounts of Cornelius and Peter in Acts and the Council of Jerusalem's discussions on how to share the gospel beyond Jewish identity.
- Early Christian communities lacked direct teachings from Jesus, leading them to make independent discernments about faith, as illustrated by the decision-making process in Acts 15, which involved recognizing the Spirit's presence and action.
11:25 🍞 Jesus' teachings in Mark 7:1-23 emphasize the importance of context in food laws, highlighting that He is the bread of life for both Jews and Gentiles, which is crucial for true faith.
- The decision to impose minimal requirements on Gentiles, allowing for table fellowship with Jews, highlights the significance of context in understanding God's will as illustrated by Mark's dual accounts of the loaves.
- Mark emphasizes that recognizing Jesus as the bread of life for both Jews and Gentiles is essential for understanding God's project and making a true confession of faith.
- Mark 7:1-23 presents a unified argument addressing food laws and their interpretation, reflecting later community struggles rather than the historical context of Jesus' ministry.
15:22 📖 Mark 7:1-23 presents four arguments regarding the conflict between scripture, tradition, human body, and morality, emphasizing the importance of inner purity over external rituals.
17:04 🕊️ Jesus challenges the Pharisees' focus on human traditions over God's commandments, emphasizing genuine worship and criticizing practices like corban that violate parental honor.
- Mark 7:1-23 highlights the tension between Jesus' teachings and Jewish traditions, particularly regarding handwashing and dietary laws, reflecting early church debates on the cleanliness of food.
- The Pharisees, primarily known through Christian gospels, aimed to integrate temple holiness into daily life but risked legalism and excessive regulation.
- Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, highlighting their hypocrisy and the need for genuine worship.
- Jesus criticizes the tradition of declaring support for parents as a sacred offering (corban), which undermines God's command to honor them.
22:03 🧠 Jesus teaches that true defilement stems from inner morality rather than external rituals, highlighting the need for inner purity over dietary laws and encouraging innovation in faith.
- Jesus teaches that true defilement comes from within a person, not from external sources, emphasizing the importance of inner purity over dietary laws.
- Verses 14 to 15 conclude the second argument from tradition, while verses 17 to 19 introduce a new audience and an argument from the human body, which may be omitted in public readings due to their crude language.
- Mark 7:20-23 emphasizes that evil intentions arise from within the human heart, highlighting the importance of inner morality over external rituals.
- Israel is instructed to diligently observe God's commandments to demonstrate their wisdom and discernment to other nations.
- Early Christians courageously set aside traditions to innovate in their faith, a practice that remains relevant for contemporary issues lacking clear teachings from Jesus.

SOURCE: A Word Proclaimed

True adherence to faith is rooted in genuine love and a heartfelt relationship with God, rather than strict adherence to external rituals and traditions.

KEY INSIGHTS w/ Timestamps

00:00 📖 Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their emphasis on ritual purity laws, highlighting that true adherence to the law is not about adding more rules but understanding its essence.
02:13 🕊️ Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their hypocrisy regarding handwashing traditions, emphasizing that true purity comes from the heart, not just external rituals.
03:41 🙏 True worship is about a genuine relationship with God, emphasizing love and trust over strict adherence to human laws.
- True worship involves a heartfelt relationship with God rather than mere adherence to human-made laws.
- The essence of the gospel lies in loving and trusting the Lord, as mere adherence to its letter without love can be detrimental.
06:17 🙏 God values heartfelt devotion over mere rule-following, fostering personal transformation and virtue through deeper divine connection.
- God desires genuine connection and heartfelt devotion from His people rather than mere adherence to rules and rituals.
- Seeking a deeper connection with the divine can lead to personal transformation and the development of virtues.
09:07 ❤️ Love leads to true freedom, as exemplified by a daughter caring for her sick father, contrasting with the rigid adherence to tradition that neglects God's commandments.
10:54 😡 Manipulating religious laws for personal gain while neglecting family responsibilities is sinful and unjust.
12:00 😡 Nothing from outside can defile a person; true defilement comes from within.
13:06 💖 Evil thoughts and actions originate from within the heart, emphasizing the importance of loving God and neighbor as central to true faith.

SOURCE: A Walk in the Word

Jesus emphasizes that true purity and faithfulness come from within, and that prioritizing human traditions over God’s commandments can lead to hypocrisy and defilement.

KEY INSIGHTS w/ Timestamps

00:00 Jesus criticizes Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, emphasizing that true defilement comes from within.
08:49 Jesus is criticized by Pharisees and scribes for not following Jewish traditions, such as hand washing before eating, which they saw as essential for ritual purity.
20:50 Jesus calls out the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, specifically using loopholes to avoid caring for their aging parents.
30:36 Jesus condemns human traditions that contradict God's law, while St. Paul encourages holding fast to apostolic traditions that are rooted in scripture.
41:05 Jesus teaches that true purity comes from within, not from external rituals or actions, and that it's what comes from within that can defile and make one impure.
47:09 Jesus teaches that true faith requires a genuine interior life and moral integrity, not just external rituals.
52:08 Faithfulness to God's commandments and teachings is essential for living a life of justice, beauty, and wisdom, and for being a light to others.
01:02:15 Focus on genuine religious practice, seeking union with God, and support the channel's mission to spread Christ's message.

Unpacking the Texts

Outlines of Readings

1ST READING: Moses' Exhortation to Obey God's Law

Moses' Exhortation to Obey God's Law

I. Introduction

Moses emphasizes the Israelites' obedience to God's law.* The law serves as wisdom and understanding for the nations.

II. Adherence to God's Law Israelites should diligently observe God's commandments, statutes, and decrees.

This adherence ensures their well-being and prosperity in the Promised Land.

III. Passing Down Wisdom

God's law must be passed down to future generations.
Children and grandchildren should learn from their elders to maintain devotion to God.

IV. Conclusion

God's law is a source of righteousness for the Israelites.
By observing the law, they demonstrate their commitment to God and their faith.

2ND READING: Living the Word of Truth

Living the Word of Truth

I. The Father of Lights (Jas 1:17-18)

God is the source of all good gifts. His gifts, including the Word of Truth, are perfect and unchanging.

II. Accepting and Living the Word (Jas 1:21b-22)

Embrace the Word of Truth with humility. Put the Word into practice, avoiding mere lip service.

III. Religion that Pleases God (Jas 1:27) Pure and faultless religion involves caring for the vulnerable. Maintain integrity and avoid worldly corruption in faith and actions.

IV. Conclusion

The Word of Truth must be received with humility and lived out in daily life.
Genuine faith is demonstrated through concern for those in need and uncorrupted religious practic

GOSPEL: Inner Purity over External Practices

Inner Purity over External Practices

I. Introduction (Mk 7:1-8)

Pharisees question Jesus about the lack of handwashing among his disciples.
Jesus addresses their concern by highlighting the difference between external practices and inner purity.

II. True Defilement (Mk 7:14-15)

Jesus explains that defilement comes from within, not external practices.
Inner thoughts and intentions determine moral and spiritual purity.

III. List of Vices (Mk 7:21-23)

Evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, and other vices stem from within.
These vices contaminate a person's heart and actions.

IV. Conclusion

Prioritize inner purity and the transformation of the heart.
External practices are secondary to cultivating genuine moral and spiritual growth.

Clipart by Fr. Richard Lonsdale

Gospel Greek Lexicon

κρατέω (krateō) - TO HOLD FAST

κρατέω (krateō)

The Greek verb κρατέω (krateō) comes from the root word κράτος (kratos), which means "strength" or "power." The verb itself means "to have strength," "to prevail," or "to be master of."

Definition:

κρατέω (krateō) can be defined as "to take hold of," "to seize," or "to retain." It can be used in both physical and figurative contexts. The word often denotes the idea of holding onto something or someone tightly, with determination and strength.

Key Occurrences in the New Testament:

Matthew 9:25 - When Jesus took the girl's hand and raised her up.
Matthew 12:11 - When Jesus asks whether it is lawful to do good or to harm on the Sabbath.
Mark 1:31 - When Jesus took Peter's mother-in-law by the hand and healed her.
Mark 5:41 - When Jesus took the hand of Jairus' daughter and raised her up.
Mark 9:27 - When Jesus took the boy with the unclean spirit by the hand and healed him.
Luke 8:54 - When Jesus took the hand of Jairus' daughter and raised her up.

Theological Significance:

For Catholics, κρατέω (krateō) can symbolize the importance of holding onto faith and grasping the teachings of Jesus. This word reminds Catholics to embrace the Word of God with strength and determination, incorporating its teachings into their daily lives. Additionally, the usage of κρατέω in healing stories signifies the power and authority of Jesus over illness and death, emphasizing his role as the Son of God and Savior.

ἡ τῶν ἀνθρώπων (hē tōn anthrōpōn) - HUMAN TRADITION

ἡ τῶν ἀνθρώπων (hē tōn anthrōpōn)

The phrase ἡ τῶν ἀνθρώπων (hē tōn anthrōpōn) consists of three components:

The genitive plural form of the noun ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), meaning "human" or "man."
The definite article ἡ (hē), meaning "the."
The genitive plural form τῶν (tōn), indicating possession or association with a group.

Definition:

The phrase ἡ τῶν ἀνθρώπων can be translated as "the [tradition/commandment] of men" or "human tradition/commandment." It refers to customs, practices, or rules established by human authority rather than divine authority.

Key Occurrences in the New Testament:

Matthew 15:9 - Jesus quotes Isaiah, saying, "In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Mark 7:8 - Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for abandoning the commandments of God in favor of human traditions.
Colossians 2:22 - Paul warns against being subjected to human commands and teachings that may not be rooted in Christ.

Theological Significance:

For Catholics, ἡ τῶν ἀνθρώπων serves as a reminder of the importance of distinguishing between divine and human authority. While human traditions and customs play a role in Catholic practice and culture, the Church teaches that these must always be secondary to divine commandments and the teachings of Christ. Catholics must ensure that their faith and actions align with God's will rather than focusing solely on human-made rules and traditions.

In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledges that the scribes and Pharisees occupy the Seat of Moses (Matthew 23:2), which implies that they hold authority in teaching the Mosaic Law. However, Jesus also criticizes them for focusing on human traditions and neglecting the commandments of God (Matthew 15:3, Mark 7:8).

For Catholics, this concept emphasizes the need to adhere to the Church's teachings while ensuring that they align with divine revelation. The Seat of Moses serves as a reminder that religious leaders should guide the faithful by upholding God's Word and fostering a deeper understanding of divine truth.

ἐντολὴν (entolēn) - COMMANDMENT

ἐντολὴν (entolēn)

The Greek noun ἐντολὴ (entolē) is derived from the verb ἐντέλλω (entellō), which means "to command" or "to give orders." It is formed by combining the preposition ἐν (en), meaning "in" or "on," and the verb τέλλω (tellō), meaning "to accomplish."

Definition:

ἐντολὴ (entolē) is usually translated as "commandment," "order," or "injunction." It refers to an authoritative instruction or a directive given to someone, often in the context of moral, ethical, or religious obligations.

Key Occurrences in the New Testament:

Matthew 5:19 - Jesus says, "Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 15:3 - Jesus asks, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"
Mark 10:19 - Jesus reiterates some of the Ten Commandments, "Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother."
Luke 23:56 - The women who prepared spices and perfumes for Jesus' body "rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment."
John 13:34 - Jesus gives a new commandment, "Love one another as I have loved you."

Theological Significance:

For Catholics, the concept of ἐντολὴ (entolē) is integral to understanding the importance of obeying God's commandments and Christ's teachings. It emphasizes the need to follow moral and ethical guidelines, including the Ten Commandments and the Greatest Commandment (loving God and loving one's neighbor). Catholics view adhering to ἐντολὴ as essential to living a life that is pleasing to God and cultivating a deeper relationship with Christ.

Sunday Planner

by Fr. Lawrence Mick
2018 Column

This week we return to the Gospel according to Mark. Today’s readings raise the issue of obedience to God’s commandments. The first reading strongly urges the Israelites to “observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations.” The Gospel, however, nuances that advice as Jesus distinguishes what is more basic from what is less important. Those “less important” laws were considered God-given, but Jesus recognizes that some laws override other lesser rules.

That’s a principle that planners need to remember when some rules contradict others (e.g., what can be in the bread when it should look like real bread). Even more important is to remember that the ultimate commandment is the two-fold command of love that Jesus taught.

Love is expressed in many ways. One that people may not think of quickly is giving of our resources in the collection. James says, “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above” and also speaks of us being “a kind of firstfruits” of God’s creatures. I wonder how many of your parishioners see what they give in the collection as an act of love. How many recognize that their giving is “from above” and that it is a kind of “firstfruits” offering? Israel offered the first fruits of the harvest as a sacrifice, which indicated their recognition that the whole harvest belonged to God and was to be used according to God’s will. Do your parishioners recognize that all they have belongs to God when they put a share of it in the collection?

Obviously, there is much richness here that is often overlooked. How can you help your parishioners appreciate more fully the meaning and spiritual significance of their giving? This might even increase the giving somewhat, but that is not the main goal. What is important is that the collection becomes truly a part of the worship, not just a functional need that interrupts the action of the liturgy.

If parishioners’ giving in the collection reminds them that everything they have belongs to God, that should also lead them to a fuller response to God throughout the week. James also calls us to be “doers of the word and not hearers only.” He goes on to insist, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” What a powerful statement and challenge to all of us that is!

Can these themes find a place in the homily this weekend and/or in the bulletin or the petitions? As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, if we do not give out of love, then our giving is empty.

SOURCE: Fr. Mick’s column was originally published in CELEBRATION, the pastoral and worship planning resource which served readers from 1972 until 2019.