For the past three weeks, the gospel readings have come from the Gospel according to John, but this week, we resume the series of readings from St. Mark. The Gospel from Mark 7:1-13 contrasts internal allegiance to divine Law with superficial or external interpretations of the Law and man-made rules. The immediate issue concerns the washing of hands. The Pharisees and legal scholars of Judea washed their hands before blessing and consuming food. This washing was not primarily for hygiene but for ceremonial religious reasons. Jesus' Galilean disciples were not careful about such matters. Since they did not follow all the strict rules, the Pharisees criticized the disciples of Jesus.
Our Lord saw through the legalism and hypocrisy of the supposedly pious. The legalists were judgmental about minor religious customs, but in reality, they themselves looked for loopholes to avoid some of the serious moral demands of the Law. For example, some Pharisees would dedicate possessions to religious uses so that they could avoid spending more on poor parents. By such practices, people emphasized human rules and claimed to follow the Law when in reality they were being selfish and ignoring the higher principles and intentions of divine Law. Of course, such tendencies were not confined to ancient Pharisees. All human beings are tempted by some types of selfishness, self-righteousness, and legalism. All human beings have similar weaknesses. We tend to seek our own convenience, justify ourselves, and condemn others. Thus, we all need forgiveness, a better understanding of divine commandments, and more openness to divine guidance. We all need to grow in grace and see how the Law is fulfilled in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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