The Tradition of the Elders

Today's Reflections

 

 

 

The Tradition of the Elders

Mk 7:1-13

¹When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], ²they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. ³(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. ⁴And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles [and beds].)

⁵So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” ⁶He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:/ ‘This people honors me with their lips,/ but their hearts are far from me;/ ⁷in vain do they worship me,/ teaching as doctrines human precepts.’/ ⁸You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” ⁹He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! ¹⁰For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ ¹¹Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban” ’ (meaning, dedicated to God), ¹²you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. ¹³You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

Reflection:
 

The tradition of the elders. The Pharisees and scribes require the literal interpretation and external observance of customs and practices. These religious leaders impose them as the way to make people please God. To neglect the tradition of the elders is to offend God.

Jesus emphasizes the purity of intentions. What matters is the heart. One pleases God by conversion and charity—loving God and caring for God’s people.

The will of God is above traditions and human precepts. God is honored not so much by the performance of rituals and ceremonies as by the practice of God’s commandments. What counts for God is how much we love and how well we serve.

Seek to love rather than to condemn,to serve rather than to feel superior,to be compassionate rather than to blame.