22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

1st Reading                Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8

Psalm                           15: 2-3a. 3bc-4ab. 5 (R. 1a)

R:// "O Lord, who may abide in your tent"

2nd Reading              James 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27

Gospel                        Mark 7: 1-8. 14-15. 21-23. 

BELIEF INFORMS ACTIONS

Beloved, today is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). Today is also the first day of the new month of September. We are not only in the second half of the liturgical year but also surrounded by newness. What I suggest we start understanding is that the Lord comes to renew us whenever we encounter him.

Let us take a few details from the Word of God for this Sunday and draw out lessons to help our reflections. The first reading is from Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8. The first reading opens by saying "Now, Israel, Hear" (v. 1). Some translations have "Now, Israel, give heed". This is an interesting opening. For us, this is a call to turn to an exhortation. The word "Hear" strikes. This is not the first time Moses tells the Israelites to hear. We also find him saying "HEAR". The word HEAR is ŠĚMA' (Shema). Usually, whenever Moses tells the Israelites to Shema (to listen or hear), it is within a liturgical context. This is a worshipping community that is ready to receive the Word of God. This readiness to receive starts with the exhortation to "LISTEN" . The word does not only stop at the meaning of mere hearing but extends to "to obey". The implication is that what is merely heard should inform the actions we take. In fact, our actions prove where we turn our ears. Whatever God calls us to hear when truly heard must be accompanied by the resolve to act according to them.

We notice that the Israelites are called to HEAR nothing but the "statutes and ordinances". The phrase "statutes and ordinances" does not indicate two types of law but the singular rule of the Torah. In Deut. 4: 8, the "statutes and ordinances" are identified with "all this law (the Torah)". We need to understand that the promise attached to hearing and acting according to the Law, thus, the Word of God is that "you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, God of your fathers, gives you" (Deut. 4: 1). The essential here is the possession of the land. The land is very important because the possession of it will fully make Israel a nation. It is a necessity for their freedom. It is a land that is promised. We can have Heaven as the Promised Land in view here. Before you acquire this land, you need the Law. This makes the Law and its obedience a necessary condition for possessing the land and establishing Israel as a nation. Beloved, the implication is clear. We aspire to enter the joys of Heaven. To do this and make ourselves free, establishing ourselves as a nation, we should be obedient not to our own righteousness but only to that of the Lord. Notice that the possession of the land is not through any military endeavour. It is simply by "obedience". 

Finally, the consequence of obedience or upholding the law (the Word of God) is that other nations will see Israel's wisdom and understanding (hokmâ and bînâ). This is because the Law represents the knowledge of the whole world (Sir. 24: 25-27). The Lord is near whenever we call because God's word, namely the Law, is very near to us, in our mouth and in our heart (Deut. 30: 11-14). We also need to understand that Israelite Wisdom (hokmâ) has the nuance of skill. Understanding (bînâ) entails the discernment of the truth. Upholding the law, obedience to the law, will show the distinctive action of the Israelites because their skill in discerning the Word of God will be in-depth and special. Such skill in discerning the Word of God will draw attention not only to Israel but ultimately to Israel's God. This is also what happened when the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon (1 Kings 10). When the Queen saw the orderliness in the house of Solomon, she blessed God for such great Wisdom (1 Kings 10: 9). 

Dear friends, in this line of our reflection, the author of the letter of James admonishes us to "recieve with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1: 21b). The Word of God gives order in both our external actions and internally. 

We find Jesus in the Gospel passage (Mark 7: 1-8. 14-15. 21-23) also saying, "Hear me, all of you, and understand" (Mk. 7: 14). The Greek word used there is "akouō", and it is to be endowed with the faculty of hearing son much so that the hearer understands what is said to be put to practice. 

Beloved, for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B), we are called to obey the Word of God as we try to attain the Kingdom, the Promised Land. If we can summarise the Word of God this Sunday, it should be that "belief informs action". Whatever we do tells what we believe in. If we must be known as Christians, then obedience to the Word of God will do the testimony. 

Pax et Bonum