The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer
direction in the attempt we must make to live faith in real life. The Book of
Deuteronomy praises God and the Law which has been given to the Israelites to
follow diligently and reverently to internalize the example that they are
giving to their neighbours of being a people close to God. The desire of the
human heart to be at peace in relationship to the Divine sometimes propels us
into a pattern of religiosity wherein we follow traditions, observe religious
practices and spend much time away from others in diligent observance of
religious practices. Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Pharisees in the
Gospel of Mark today had “built a fence around the Law” giving the widest
possible interpretation to the prohibitions therein. The relationship with God
through rules and decrees can be lifeless theory. Jesus declares that the
separation from God comes from the self centered actions which originate in our
hearts. The decision to follow our passions and temptations necessarily turns
us away from the practice of self sacrifice, patience, tolerance, mercy,
compassion, consideration which is the fruit of Love and the reality of God.
Getting real in our journey to intimate relationship with God is the path of
charity toward those are at the margins of life. A friend mentioned his
discussion this week with a retired Evangelical minister who expressed to the
desire to live constantly in the manner that gives glory to God. This “law” is
truly written in the heart.
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