Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Renato Tampol SVD – Divine Word College of San Jose, Mindoro
Tuesday 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Almost everybody knows the saying “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I was an elementary pupil when I came to know about this. Everyday our teacher would encourage us to be clean through daily inspection of the hair, fingernails, ears, teeth, etc. Aside from personal hygiene, we also cleaned the room ourselves.
In our Gospel today, the Pharisees observe cleanliness religiously according to the tradition of their ancestors. They strictly observe the prescribed washing before meals. Jesus did not insist for himself and others to faithfully follow their traditional practices. What catches the ire of the Lord is how they impose this practice on others, how they admonish others for failing to practice this tradition even if they failed to practice it themselves. God knows their hearts.
The Lord Jesus is not against traditions per se. What he dislikes is when one imposes traditions, rules and regulations on others without them properly observing it themselves. The observance of traditions, rules and regulations should bring one closer to God and to others.
This means that one should show love, which is the spirit behind all this. Love in the heart enables one to be gentle and caring of others. One does not become judgmental but considerate of the weaknesses of others. One observes maximum tolerance of others who cannot exactly follow what one does.
If love dwells in the heart, one is compelled to share what he/she has to others. This fulfills his/her mission as a child of God. It is higher than the proper observance of religious traditions. As the Lord puts it, “… give alms and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
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