First Reading (1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30)
A reading from the First Book of Kings.
In those days, Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the assembly of Israel, spread out his hands towards heaven, and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant and show steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day.
May your eyes be open night and day towards this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray towards this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive!
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Mark 7:1-13)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, some Pharisees and some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. And when they saw some of his disciples eating with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands thoroughly, following the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups, pots, and copper vessels.
So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly 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 human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
Then he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.’ But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, ‘Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban’ (that is, an offering to God)— then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this.”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a simple yet profound question: how do you feel when someone questions the sincerity of your faith? When someone looks at your religious practices and traditions and judges them without understanding their true essence? I am sure many of us have experienced this uncomfortable situation.
In today’s readings, we find a powerful and relevant message for these moments. In the First Reading, from the Book of Kings, we see King Solomon dedicating the temple in Jerusalem. He calls out to heaven, recognizing God’s greatness and asking for blessings upon that sacred place. Solomon understands the importance of a physical space for worship, but he also knows that the true essence of faith goes beyond the temple walls.
In the Gospel according to Mark, we find Jesus confronting the Pharisees and scribes, who questioned the disciples about the observance of religious traditions. Jesus rebukes them, quoting the words of the prophet Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mk 7:6). He reminds them that true religiosity is rooted in the heart and intention, not just in external rituals.
These passages challenge us to reflect on the authenticity of our faith. They invite us to look beyond external religious practices and examine our hearts. For it is there that God desires to dwell, mold, and transform.
Imagine a magnificent house, with imposing walls and impressive architecture. From the outside, it may appear grand and impeccable, but what truly matters is what happens within those walls. If the rooms are empty, devoid of love, compassion, and generosity, the house loses its true purpose.
Similarly, our faith cannot be limited to empty rituals or mere external observance of religious traditions. We cannot content ourselves with honoring God only with our lips, while our hearts remain distant. God desires a deep and intimate relationship with us, one that transcends external appearance and manifests in our daily actions and attitudes.
When Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes, He reminds us that true religion is a matter of the heart. It is not just about following rules and regulations, but about loving God and neighbor with all our heart, mind, and soul. It is about living in accordance with God’s will in every aspect of our lives.
But how does this apply to us today? How can we live this authenticity of faith in our modern times, when we are bombarded by so many distractions and influences?
Dear brothers and sisters, the answer lies in the constant pursuit of a personal relationship with God. It is through prayer, reading the Word of God, and participating in the sacraments that we can strengthen this relationship. It is through inner silence and attentive listening that we can discern God’s will for our lives.
Furthermore, the authenticity of our faith also manifests in our daily actions. As Christians, we are called to live out love, mercy, and justice in all situations. We are called to be light and salt in the world, to bring hope and comfort to those around us.
Imagine a small candle lit in a dark room. Though small, its light is capable of illuminating the surroundings and dispelling the darkness. Similarly, when we live our faith with authenticity, even if we are just one person amidst a secularized society, our light can make a difference.
The world we live in desperately needs this authenticity of faith. It cries out for courageous witnesses who reflect the light of Christ in their words and actions. And we, as members of the Church, are called to be those witnesses.
Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to reflect on how we live out our faith. Are we being authentic in our worship of God? Does our faith transcend the walls of the church and extend into our daily lives?
You see, the authenticity of our faith is not just a matter of personal salvation, but also of impact on the world around us. When we live our faith authentically, we are able to touch lives, inspire change, and bring hope to a desperate world.
Remember the words of Jesus to the Pharisees and scribes: “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7:15). He reminds us that it is what comes out of our hearts that truly reveals our faith and character.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, I challenge each of you to examine yourselves deeply. Take a moment and ask yourselves: is my life in harmony with the teachings of Christ? Do my words and actions reflect the authenticity of my faith?
If there are areas in your life that need to be corrected, do not despair. Remember that God is merciful and always ready to forgive us and give us a new chance. He invites us to seek daily conversion, to allow Him to shape and transform our hearts.
Dear brothers and sisters, as a community of faith, let us support each other in this journey of authenticity. Let us encourage one another to grow in our relationship with God, to seek true conversion of heart, and to live a life of love and service to others.
And to those who are still seeking a deeper connection with the Catholic faith, I invite you to explore, question, and open yourselves to the action of the Holy Spirit in your lives. God is always ready to receive those who approach with sincerity of heart.
Dear brothers and sisters, may this week challenge us to live our faith with authenticity and integrity. May we be bright lights in a dark world thirsty for hope. May our words and actions reflect the love and mercy of Christ.
And so, with confidence in our faith and with the grace of God, may we transform our lives, our communities, and our world for the glory of God. May He bless us and guide us on our journey of authenticity and holiness.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
