FEAST OF SAINTS PAUL MIKI AND COMPANION MARTYRS.

FEAST OF SAINTS PAUL MIKI SJ & COMPANIONS  

"When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (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.) 

"So 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?” 

"He 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; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.

"You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. 

"Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.” (Mark 7: 1 - 13).

Tuesday February 6th 2024 in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. 

The confrontation of Jesus in today's Gospel with the Pharisees and scribes is an opportunity for frank talk with His adversaries. 

The issue today is: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 

Washing your hands before meals is a symbol of purification. For us, we consider it equivalent to the Examination of Conscience and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Have no doubt about it, these are very important rituals of our faith. 

Jesus calls His adversaries: You are hypocrites.

What is hypocrisy? How can a baptized Christian avoid hypocrisy?

Renew your Baptismal Promises weekly or daily if you can. It takes only a minute or two at the most. How? For example:

O MY GOD, I JOHN DECLARE THAT I AM YOUR SON AND THE BROTHER OF YOUR SON JESUS. I RENOUNCE SINS. I RENOUNCE SATAN AND HIS LIES AND FALSE PROMISES. HELP ME TO LIVE MY BAPTISMAL PROMISES IN JESUS NAME. AMEN! 

That is all you need to do. Watch for the results after a couple of months. You will be surprised by joy! 

Prepare yourself to live fully your Baptismal commitment and the grace of Confirmation by activating the Holy Spirit in you. 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com