What is more important to God – clean hands or a clean mind and heart ? The Scribes and Pharisees were upset with Jesus because he allowed his disciples to break with their ritual traditions and eat without washing their hands. We know a lot about the importance of hand washing as a result of dealing with Covid-19. Yet few of us wash our hands before grabbing food at McDonald’s or other drive-thru fast food restaurants even during Covid.
Jesus explains that the Scribes and Pharisees void God’s commands because they allow their hearts and minds to be clouded by their notion of true religious practices. Jesus specifically accuses them of two things. The first is hypocrisy. Like actors putting on a show, externally they appear to obey God’s word while inwardly they harbor evil desires and intentions. Secondly he accuses them of abandoning God’s word by substituting their own arguments and interpretations.
At the heart of all of this, is the sin of selfishness and the sense that I’m most important. Yet as we look at the scriptures this doesn’t fit with the image of Jesus washing their feet or Jesus submitting to the cross. It doesn’t fit when we say the Our Father. It doesn’t fit when we gather with others around the Eucharistic table. It doesn’t fit when we hear Jesus say; “but I was hungry and thirsty and a stranger and you responded to my need.” It doesn’t fit when we think we are the most important ones, rather than Jesus wanting us to attend to the needs of others. It doesn’t fit that ritually washing hands is more important than being a true servant.
St. Joseph, pray for us !
DeColores, Deacon Doug
