THE HEART OF TRUE FAITH
Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch
Scripture Texts: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
In life, we are constantly performing actions that either reveal our true selves or mask who we really are. Today’s readings invite us to reflect deeply on the importance of living our faith from the inside out, focusing on authenticity and integrity in our relationship with God and others.
The first reading from Deuteronomy sets the stage by reminding us of the importance of God’s law. Moses spoke to the Israelites, urging them to observe the statutes and decrees given by God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses also warned against adding to or subtracting from God’s law. This is a reminder that we should not manipulate or dilute the teachings of our faith to suit our convenience or preferences. He emphasized that these laws are not arbitrary rules but gifts that demonstrate wisdom and intelligence. The law is meant to guide them in living justly, creating a society that reflects God’s holiness and justice.
This admonition from Moses is also very relevant to us today. Often, we see rules, laws, regulations, and commandments as restrictive, limiting our freedom. But Moses teaches us that God’s commandments are designed to bring us closer to God and to one another. They help us live in a way that reflects God’s love and justice in the world. The law is not merely a set of external regulations but a way of life that, when embraced, becomes a sign of wisdom to others. As we reflect on this, we should ask ourselves: Do we see God’s commandments or societal laws as a burden, or do we recognize them as a path to freedom and life? Are we committed to living out these commandments and laws not just outwardly, but with our hearts fully engaged?
The second reading from the Letter of James continues this theme by stressing that true religion is not just about hearing the word of God but doing it. James reminds us that all good things come from God, and the greatest gift he has given us is the word of truth, which has the power to save our souls. However, this gift requires a response. It is not enough to simply hear or acknowledge the truth - we must act on it. James is calling us to be “doers of the word and not hearers only.” He gives practical examples of what this looks like: caring for orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world. These actions go beyond ritual observance; they are expressions of a faith that is alive and active.
In our daily lives, we are often tempted to separate our faith from our actions, to keep religion as something private and separate from our interactions with others. But James challenges us to integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives. This means being mindful of how we treat others, particularly those who are vulnerable and marginalized. It also means striving to live in a way that reflects the purity and goodness of God, resisting the corrupting influences of the world.
The Gospel reading brings the message of the first and second readings into a sharp focus. Here, we find Jesus addressing the Pharisees and scribes who criticized his disciples for not following the tradition of ritual hand washing. This tradition was seen as essential for maintaining purity, but Jesus used this moment to teach a deeper lesson about what truly defiles a person. Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah, saying, “This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.” Here, Jesus was not dismissing the value of traditions, but he was emphasizing that outward rituals are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a heart that is right with God.
Jesus went on to say that it is not what enters a person from outside that defiles, but what comes from within. He listed various evils - evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, and so on - as things that come from within and defile a person. This teaching invites us to look inward and examine the state of our hearts. It is easy to focus on external practices - going to Church, saying prayers, following religious customs - while neglecting the inner transformation that God desires. Jesus is calling us to an authentic faith that is not just about appearances but about a heart that is aligned with God’s will.
To conclude, we must ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with how we appear to others than with the condition of our hearts before God? Do we use religious practices as a cover for a heart that is far from God? We are challenged to move beyond mere external observance of religious practices and to focus on the deeper transformation of our hearts. True faith is not about outward appearances or rituals, but about living in a way that reflects the love, justice, and wisdom of God. May we be known not just as people who follow religious rituals, but as people whose lives are a reflection of God’s love and justice in the world. Amen.
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