Psalm 15: 2-5
James 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Wow! What a difference in tone! We've been reading from the Gospel of John these past several weeks... John's was the last Gospel written, and the portrait he paints of Jesus highlights his divinity and uses more exalted language and imagery. But now we are back to Mark (the usual evangelist referenced in Year B of the Lectionary) and the earliest, shortest and in some ways, most human portrayal of Jesus.
It is thought that Mark was recording Peter's sermons in Rome (not writing a polished manuscript), and expected Jesus' imminent return... so there was time for diplomacy and niceties-- as you see in this exchange with the Pharisees and Scribes!
But for this weekend, I invite you to spend some time reflecting on the second reading, from the brief letter of James:
Dearest brothers and sisters:
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
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.
Comments welcomed.
There is no Catechumenate Session this week.
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