TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

The first reading explains the importance of wisdom. The Book of Job describes wisdom as the fear of the Lord and avoiding evil (Job 28:28). The fear of the Lord should not connote fear of God who punishes sinners. Fear of the Lord means to have profound reverence for God, to keep his commandments, and to distaste sin. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy one is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

The first reading says the following about wisdom: Wisdom is greater than scepter and throne. One can have scepter and throne (power), but has no wisdom. Wisdom is greater than silver and gold. One can have silver and gold (opportunities), but wastes them. Wisdom is greater than  health and comeliness. One can have health and comeliness (good-looking), but foolish.

Today, we are advised, “Get wisdom, get understanding! … Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you” (Proverbs 4:5-6). “For by [wisdom], your days will be multiplied, and the years of your life increased” (Proverbs 9:11).

Despite his wealth, the young King Solomon prayed for wisdom: “Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil” (1 King 3:9). If God asks us what we need him to do for us, how many of us would pray like Solomon? I am sure that the things of this world would be our priority. How many young people would desire wisdom as their priority?

The second reading tells us that the best source of wisdom is the word of God. The reading says, “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12-13). This means that if we rely on God’s word, we will gain the wisdom that can always guide us to discern properly and to judge wisely. As believers, we need to refer to God’s word to guide us in all we say and all we do.

In the gospel, the man did nothing extra-ordinary by keeping the commandments. “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother” (Mark 10:19). These natural and civil laws were required to be kept by everyone or face the wrath of the law. At that time, dishonor to parents was a criminal offense that attracted the death penalty! Leviticus 20:9 says, “Anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death.” But there was no legal punishment for failing to do works of charity.   

Therefore, Jesus challenged him to step out of his comfort zone and begin to live a more radical life of self-giving and self-sacrifice that were beyond keeping to the letter of the law. ‘“You are lacking in one thing,” Jesus says, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor …, then come and follow me.’ At the statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (Mark 10:21-22). His major problem was not only that he had many possessions, he lacked the spirit of self-giving and self-sacrifice.

 “Peter began to say to him, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come’” (Mark 10:28-30).

Some persons have the special calling to, practically, give up material possessions and family in order to serve God and humanity. However, in one way or another, everyone is invited to a life of self-giving and self-sacrifice. We can respond positively to Jesus’ invitation. Or, we can have excuses and go away sad.

Also, our many possessions that make our faces fall and make us walk away sad are our spiritual baggage: unforgiveness, guilt, hatred, immoral life, anger, envy and jealousy, fear, anxiety, vanity, power, ego (pride), lack of faith, and so on. The wisdom to repent and have the Sacrament of Reconciliation means selling everything!

Therefore, let us pray to reject the wisdom of this world, which St. Paul calls foolishness before God (1 Corinthian 3:19), and embrace Jesus Christ, who is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). With the power and wisdom of God, we can distinguish between good and evil, and do good and avoid evil. We conclude with a paraphrase of Proverbs 4:5-6 cited above: Have a relationship with Jesus! Do not forsake him, and he will preserve you; love him, and he will safeguard you. Amen.

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128:1-6; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

Today’s readings address marriage and family, which are two very important areas of human existence. Marriage and family issues concern every one of us since all human beings come into existence through the union of man and woman; and each person belongs to a family.

The first reading is the story of how God created the first family. The reading concludes, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). In the gospel, Jesus repeats this line and adds, “Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark 10:9). The first reading and the gospel show that the Sacrament of Matrimony is the first of the seven sacraments and that the institution of the family is the most important and the foundation of every other divine and human institution. Whatever affects the family, negatively or positively, affects human existence in the same way.

After creating the union of man and woman, God did not create any alternative to such a union. The prophets did not provide alternatives. Jesus did not suggest any alternative. Instead, he confirmed the union of husband and wife as God made it to be in the beginning. The New Testament epistles do not suggest any alternative. It means that the absence of alternatives to the union of man and woman is not an omission. God made it so. Human biology, physiology, and the reproductive system are naturally designed to enhance the union of man and woman.

However, we do not dismiss the reality in our world today that men and women have alternatives to what the readings of today present to us. For the sake of civility and decency, I will not go into discussing the alternatives, which are, as we know, recognized by some religious bodies and governments of some countries. The recognitions do not change the Catholic teaching on marriage, which is based on the Scripture, morality, and human nature. It is important that we know what the Scripture says and what the Church teaches. Then, we are responsible for the choices we make, and we are accountable to God. 

Another problem affecting the family institution is that some people do not believe that marriage is a covenant. They see marriage as a contract that can be terminated with time or when there are defaults. Jesus says in today’s gospel, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark 10:8-9). For this reason, the Catholic Church does not encourage or facilitate divorce. Rather, after all necessary inquiries, the Church can annul and void a marriage as if the marriage never existed. This is different from divorce, which means that the marriage existed but ended. It is pathetic how celebrities and some people toy with divorce and belittle family life, and their admirers and social media celebrate the news. This has a huge negative influence on young people.

The gospel concludes with the following, “And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he became indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.’ Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them” (Mark 10:13-16). Some countries and some governments do not allow religion to be taught in government owned schools, thereby undermining the importance of faith and religion in children’s development. By doing so, children are taken away from God. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of parents to teach their children the importance of spiritual life. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.”

Unfortunately, some parents are not committed to the responsibility of bringing their children to Jesus. When a parent’s priority for his/her child on a weekend is something else rather than worshipping God, the parent has taken his/her child away from Jesus. There are runaway parents who completely abandon their children. There are parents who have no religious affiliation and have nothing to teach their children concerning faith and religion; which is why we are beginning to have a God-less and faith-less generation.

The readings today call for the protection of the institution of marriage and family, and bringing our children close to God. We pray for a better understanding of the sacredness of marriage and family. We pray for fidelity, love, and respect that enable lasting marriages among couples. We pray that our sons and daughters discern prayerfully and properly before entering into marriage covenants. We pray that parents may embrace the task of training their children in the way of God.

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP 2024

Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

A brief background of the first reading will help us appreciate the message the reading has for us. At a point on their journey, the Israelites complained bitterly against God and Moses: “But now we are famished; we have nothing to look forward to but this manna …” “When Moses heard the people, family after family, crying at the entrance of their tents, so that the Lord became very angry, he was grieved.” Moses cried to God, “… I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face my distress” (Numbers 11:1-15).

Then, God directed Moses to appoint seventy elders of Israel. God said to Moses, “I will also take some of the spirit that is on you and will confer it on them, that they may share the burden of the people with you. You will then not have to bear it by yourself” (Numbers 11:16-17).

In the first reading, God took some of the spirit that was on Moses and bestowed on sixty-eight elders who were present, and they prophesied. Two elders “were not in the gathering but … in the camp…. Yet, the spirit came upon them also, and they prophesied in the camp” (Numbers 11:24-26).

I do not stop wondering why God did not confer the spirit on the elders directly from himself. Rather, he took some of the spirit that was on Moses and conferred on the elders. In my wondering, I ask myself: “Do I have the spirit that God can take some and confer on others?” “What can God take from me and give to others which can positively impact their life?” “Can I dispose myself for God to take from me and give to others?” Or do I, jealously, hold all I have to myself? After God had taken some spirit from Moses and conferred on others, Moses still had enough spirit to continue to lead the people of Israel. Givers never lack (Proverbs 28:27).  

Joshua did not want the two men who were absent from the gathering to receive the spirit. Joshua said, “Moses, my lord, stop them.” In today’s gospel, John and some of the disciples of Jesus tried to stop someone who was driving out demons in the name of Jesus because he was not a disciple of Jesus.

In the same way, there are people who hold on to concepts of exclusion and entitlement and deny those who do not belong to their kind or group their deserved rights and privileges. St. Paul scolded the Corinthians, “One says, ‘I belong to Paul.’ Another says, ‘I belong to Apollos.’ Does not that show that you have the spirit of this world?” (1 Corinthians 3:4). While the spirit of this world is partial and factional, the Spirit of God has no boundaries. It blows wherever he wishes (John 3:8).

Also, God can choose and use anyone according to his good purpose. If God chooses and uses someone we do not like, or our enemy, or someone outside our group for his good purpose, then, so be it. Let us not have the spirit of this world that tries to stifle God’s Spirit and God’s plan. St. Paul encourages us, “Do not quench the Holy Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

In today’s gospel, Jesus strongly condemns all forms of abuse and molesting of children and minors. He says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea” (Mark 9:42). In the same vein, as we reflected last Sunday, God is displeased with whoever causes hardship on the vulnerable, the voiceless, the powerless, and the defenseless.

The entire second reading condemns those who take advantage of the vulnerable, the voiceless, the powerless, and the defenseless to advance or enrich themselves. “… You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts…. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance” (James 5:3-6). Helplessly, we see these sins committed around us and around the world. For this reason, St. Paul urges us to offer supplications, prayers, petitions for rulers, and for all in authority, that they may lead with integrity (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

To conclude, Jesus has something for each one of us to reflect and work on. Jesus advises us to cut off hand or feet and pluck off eye if they cause us to sin. We know how important and dear these parts of the body are to us. It means that we must cut off from persons, relationships, associations, occasions, places, and the things we may hold dear, but they lead us astray or lead us to sin and away from God. Such daring and radical action requires a lot of prayer, courage, discipline, resilience, sacrifice, and God’s grace.

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6-8; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37

The first reading, from the Book of Wisdom, was a prophecy about what would happen to Jesus in the hands of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes, and the chief priests. Jesus reproached and challenged them for their transgressions and violations of God’s Commandments. For this reason, with revilement and torture, they put Jesus to tests and trials and condemned him to a shameful death. But God took care of Jesus and raised him from death. In today’s gospel, Jesus says of himself, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise” (Mark 9:31).

As the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes, and the chief priests took offense at Jesus and crucified him, sometimes, we take offense at those who challenge us and those who correct our ignorance and wrong-doing. In the same way, many people are persecuted or lose their life because they challenged injustice in the system and in the society. Many people lose jobs, positions, and relationships because they take the path of truth and justice.

Jesus’ story did not end with his crucifixion and death. His story continued with his resurrection. This means that a messenger of truth and justice can be rejected, silenced, suppressed, punished, expelled, eliminated, or killed. However, no matter how long it takes, truth and justice do resurrect; and many times, come back to haunt the aggressors. Jesus encourages us, “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:26-28).

In the second reading, St. James names the reasons for the disorders, violence, conflicts, killings, and wars within and around us, in our society, and in our world: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul [evil] practice…” (James 3:16). “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy, but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war” (James 4:1-2). Wherever there is injustice, or envy, or jealousy, or selfish ambition, then, the consequences such as disorders, or foul (evil) practices, or violence, or conflicts, or killings, or war are inevitable.

Envy, or jealousy, or selfish ambition block the mind from perceiving reality. That was the case with the apostles. They were so engrossed in their bickering on who was the greatest among them that they were not concerned when Jesus spoke to them about his passion and death. In the same way, envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition block the ears and hearts and blind the eyes of many leaders and rulers that they do not see the sufferings of the poor nor hear their cry.

The danger with envy, or jealousy, or selfish ambition is not only the evil consequences on the society, they are also destructive to those whom they possess or who possess them. That is why Jesus advises, “Put away your sword … “Those who use the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

In the gospel, the apostles were arguing among themselves, who was the greatest! It became a teaching moment for Jesus. He took a child and placed it in their midst and spoke to them.  The child represents vulnerability, helplessness, and dependency. The child Jesus speaks of in this context are the sick, the weak, the hungry, the elderly, the frail, the lonely, the stranger, the prisoner, the homeless, the broken hearted, and those who have other needs. The greatest people are those who serve and provide for the needy. Jesus says in today’s gospel, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me’” (Mark 9:36-37). Also, he says, “I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Let us pray for the grace to leave behind us envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition; but follow the paths of justice and selflessness, become considerate of one another, lift up and build up one another. True greatness is not in material possession but in good character and in service. Jesus says, “The greatest among you must be a servant” (Matthew 23:11). By good character and service, God makes us great, makes our family great, makes our church great, makes our community great, and makes our society and our world great. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10). While goodwill exalts, ill will destroys (Proverbs 14:34).

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

The first reading is Prophet Isaiah’s prophesy, which was fulfilled in the passion of Jesus Christ. “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheek to those who pluck my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” In today’s gospel Jesus referred to this prophecy, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days” (Mark 8:31). Jesus also did exactly what Isaiah prophesied: “When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

The first reading, however, reminds us of what may come our way as followers of Jesus. There will be times when our backs will be beaten, our beard plucked, our face buffeted and spat upon. Jesus prepares our mind in John 15:20, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” Then he promises us, “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). During the time of any affliction, we are to set our “face like flint,” that is, we are to “resolutely” keep faith and believe that our God will not allow us to be put to shame. Jesus sets the standard for us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34-35).

St. Mark writes in today’s gospel, “Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this, he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do’” (Mark 8:33). At that moment, Peter was a voice of discouragement in the mission of Jesus. Jesus immediately quietened the voice of discouragement. If Jesus, who is God, encountered difficulties, criticisms, oppositions, sufferings, discouragements, and frustrations, then, the same experiences await us who are his followers. When these experiences come our way, let us not surrender to them. Let us draw strength from Jesus; and like him, let us be strong and resolute.  On the other hand, let us not be forces of discouragement to anyone by our words and actions.

In the second reading, St. James instructs us that doing good work, especially to strangers and the needy whom we will get nothing in return, is another very important way of expressing our faith and witnessing Christ. St. James asks us, “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16). We fail to witness Christ when we can but fail to help the needy.  

St. James says, “What does it profit, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (James 2:14). St. James concludes, “Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:20). St. Francis of Assisi said to his friars, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words;” and “Let all brothers preach by their works.”

Peter, who was one of the closest apostles to Jesus, became a Satan’s voice of discouragement in the mission of Jesus. Jesus stood his ground and did not yield to him. In the same way, our close ones can become Satan’s voices that discourage us from the good works the Spirit of God ministers to our hearts to do. Jesus teaches us how to stand our ground and let the Spirit of God use us. St. Paul instructs us, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20).

There are other types of Satan’s discouraging voices. For example, pride can discourage us from a humble good work. Pride can also discourage us from obedience. Selfishness can discourage us from stepping out of our comfort zone to do a good work that requires some sacrifice. Fear can discourage us from a good work that requires courage. Laziness can discourage us from a good work that is challenging. Low-esteem can discourage and destroy our aspiration to do a good work. Rules and regulations can discourage us from a good work of compassion. Greed can discourage us from a good work of sharing or a good work of giving. Anger can discourage us from reconciliation. Insult and persecution can discourage us from continuing a good work we are doing. And so on.

In all Satan’s discouraging voices, let us not yield but pray for the graces to stand firm and to remain resolute as Jesus did.

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146: 6-10; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37

At the time of the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading, worship of false gods and evil practices by kings and the people were rampant. Many worshippers of the true God were becoming fainthearted and beginning to wonder whether God had abandoned and forgotten them. The reading was a section of Isaiah’s messianic prophecies, assuring the people that God had neither abandoned nor forgotten them. Isaiah prophesied to the people, “Thus says the Lord: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: be strong, fear not! Here is your God, … he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened; the ear of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” Jesus and his mission were the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. As we see in the gospel, the healing of the deaf man who had a speech impediment was as Isaiah prophesied.

May God come to save the people in many countries and places where the leadership is blind, deaf, dumb, and lame, thereby inflicting sufferings on the people. May God come with vindication and recompense for his people according to his word, “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you” (Isaiah 35:4).

May God come to save those who are going through various kinds of afflictions. As in today’s gospel, may there be exceeding astonishment at God’s saving grace. As prophesied by Isaiah, let streams burst in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. Let the burning sands become pools, and the thirsty ground becomes springs of water. May God’s children leap like stags in joyful dance, and may there be loud testimonies of, “He has done all things well,” by those liberated and those healed.

St. James in the second reading brings to our attention some of the diseases that cause blindness, lameness, deafness, and dumbness on many people and on our society. St. James mentions showing partiality, making distinctions, and becoming judges with evil designs. Therefore, all forms of racism, ethnicism, discrimination, segregation, gang-ups, cliques, and the like are evil designs.

St. James writes, “For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Sit here, please,’ while you say to the poor one, ‘Stand there,’ or ‘Sit at my feet’” (James 2:2-3). Are our governments and their apparatuses not guilty of this? Are some religious leaders not guilty of this? Are many people, homes, communities, and institutions not guilty of this?

St. James challenges the evil designs of giving awards, honors, titles, positions, allocations, admissions, placements, appointments, and opportunities that are not according to merit and fairness but according to privilege and favoritism.

It is spiritual blindness when we do not see the sufferings of the needy. It is spiritual deafness when we do not hear the cry of the needy. It is spiritual lameness when we refuse to step forward or step out of our comfort zones to help the needy. It is spiritual dumbness when we are silent to the truth and silent in the face of evil.

We read in today’s gospel, “And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned (in prayer), and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (that is, ‘Be opened!’). And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly” (Mark 7:32-35).

Jesus spat on his finger and touched the man’s tongue with the finger! This is curious! What is the meaning of Jesus’ action? Among the Jews, during the time of Jesus, as it was among some African tribes, the medicine man/woman’s saliva was an important ingredient of some medicinal concoctions. Also, elders used to gently spit specks of saliva on someone’s palms while pronouncing blessings, or spew out saliva on or towards someone while swearing at the person or cursing the person.  It was believed that saliva has healing power, blessing power, and cursing power. Universally, spitting saliva on someone or on an object is a sign of disgust, disrespect, anger, or contempt. However, Jesus put his own saliva on the dumb man’s tongue to loosen the man’s tongue and installed the power of speech in the man.

Let us approach Jesus with faith so that he may, also, take us away from the crowd and give us similar personal attention. Let us present to Jesus our life, our family, our businesses, our plans, and our afflictions so that he may touch us, heal us, and restore us. May he do exceedingly astonishing deeds for us. May he pronounce ephphatha on us and break open everything that the Evil One and his agents closed up, covered up, sealed up, or tied up. For it is written in Revelation 3:7-8, “When you open, nobody can shut, and when you shut, nobody can open.” Thank you, Jesus, for you have opened our door of blessings which nobody can close. Alleluia!

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; Psalm 15:2-5; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When a child is about to leave home to settle in a different place, every wise parent or guardian takes time to instruct the child on how to embrace his or her new environment and life. Moses did the same. The first reading is his instruction to the Israelites on how to observe God’s commandments when they arrive in the Promised Land. Moses said to them, “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you” (Deuteronomy 4:1). This invitation is no longer for the Israelites of the Old Testament but for us, here and now. We are invited to hear and observe the word of God in order that we may live and take possession of all that God has given us. Not hearing and doing what the word says cause all kinds of losses and spiritual death.

The invitation continues in the second reading: “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” (James 1:21-22). Regularly, the word is planted in us. Where do we belong in Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower? The path (where the word was taken away by the devil), or the rock (where the word was taken away by trials), or the thorns (where the word was taken away by anxieties and riches and pleasures of life), or the rich soil, who “when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance” (Luke 8:13-15).

Apart from the Ten Commandments, there were 613 Jewish precepts known as Mitzvot. The Jewish custodians of the law emphasized obedience to the Mitzvot more than obedience to the Ten Commandments. The precepts Mark cites in today’s gospel are from the Mitzvot: “For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And 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” (Mark 7:3-4).

Like the Pharisees, who were more concerned with humans made precepts and traditions than God’s Commandments, our generation prefers to listen to the world than to the living word of God. Thomas a Kempi writes in The Imitation of Christ, “Many hear the world more easily than they hear God; they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.” Listening to and obeying the world cause defilement of heart which Jesus mentions in today’s gospel: “unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly” (Mark 7:23).

Jesus explains the reward of listening and acting on the word, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). In last the Sunday’s gospel, Jesus says, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). Which is why St. Paul reminds us, “The Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). 

Joshua spoke to the people of Israel about the power of the word of God, “Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed” (Joshua 1:8). This is why the psalmist proclaims, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The psalmist, also, states, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. … The statutes of the Lord are true, all of them just… By them your servant is warned; obeying them brings much reward” (Psalm 19:7-14). St. James assures us, “But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).

Where is my Bible? How much time do I devote to reading the word of God, or to hearing the word of God, or to meditating on the word of God? Do I associate myself with individuals, groups, and programs that can help me grow in the knowledge of the word of God? Can I use some of the time I waste on satisfying desires of the flesh in embracing the word of God? St. Paul tells us, “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Whoever sows nothing will reap nothing.  

Since “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God” (1 Corinthians 3:19); “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).