Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23,27-30, Ps. 84:3-5,10-11, Mark 7:1-13
“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me.” (Mark 7:7)
During the temple’s dedication, King Solomon stood before the altar, raised his hands towards heaven, and begged God to remain in the temple, listen to people’s prayers, and forgive their sins. God approved Solomon’s worship by revealing his presence as a thick cloud. Meanwhile, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus revealed that certain things we do in the name of worship annoy Him. This brings us to our lessons today:
1. It is possible to worship God in vain. Hypocrisy (giving others the impression of holiness while living in sin) is vain worship. Jesus warned that on the Last Day, many would be thrust out of God’s kingdom not because they didn’t know God but because they offered lip service. They would say: “Lord, we ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.” In reply, God will tell them: “I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!” (Cf. Luke 13:24-28). Hypocrisy is living a double life: committing evil in secret while standing in open spaces to pray that all may see. A few days ago, Jesus warned that everything we do in secret will be exposed to the light. More still, we may deceive others, but we can never hide anything from God.
2. Vain worship is refusing to see the log in one’s eye while pointing fingers at the speck in others. Another form of hypocrisy is condemning others (making them feel less in public) while committing greater sins. The Pharisees were quick to accuse Jesus and his disciples of not washing their hands. Meanwhile, their hearts were full of corruption and evil. Jesus gave the example of two men who prayed in the temple. One praised himself for all the good he had done, but his prayer did not reach God. The other man, accepting his faults, begged for mercy and went home justified. (Cf. Luke 18:10-14). Instead of pointing fingers (or calling people names), be the change. Instead of washing the dirty linens of others on social media, be a true Christian.
3. Vain worship is misinterpreting God’s commandments. In a bid to follow the letter of God’s commandments, the Pharisees forgot the purpose (the spirit) of these commandments. In his conversation with the Samaritan Woman, Jesus noted: “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.” (John 4:23) A typical example is the priest and the Levite, who passed the man (who was robbed, beaten, and left half-dead) on the way. They didn’t want to touch a dead body, thereby rendering themselves unclean for the Sabbath, but by so doing, they failed to show love to their neighbour. In ignoring that man on the road, their worship was in vain. On the last day, God will not ask how often we attended Sunday or Weekday Masses; He will ask why we failed to give water, food or clothing to the needy.
4. Vain worship is donating large sums of money to the church, but failing to care for one’s parents. This is what Jesus highlights in the tradition of ‘corban’. You waste your tithes and seeds if you don’t care for your parents. Take care of your parents; do not abandon them when they are old. By extension, show love and respect to your spouses and children at home. It is hypocritical to be a demon at home, but an angel in the church. Don’t be a wife who kneels to greet the priest but treats her husband like trash. Don’t be a husband who builds the church but fails to pay his children’s school fees. Love is the summary of God’s commandments.
Today, we celebrate Saint Scholastica. She was born around 480 AD into a prosperous family in Italy. She and her brother, Saint Benedict, are celebrated as the mother and father of Western Monasticism. Inspired by Benedict’s decision to live as a hermit and later establish a monastery with a new monastic rule, she sought his guidance. With the local bishop’s approval, she joined a community of virgins who adopted Benedict’s principles, and Benedict appointed her as their abbess.
Let us pray: As we celebrate the Memorial of the Virgin Saint Scholastica anew, we pray, O Lord, that, following her example, we may serve you with pure love and happily receive what comes from loving you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Scholastica, Virgin Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: 1 Kings 8:22-23,27-30, Ps. 84:3-5,10-11, Mark 7:1-13)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu