{"id":4108,"date":"2018-08-29T18:21:21","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T18:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/batkol.info\/?p=4108"},"modified":"2018-08-29T18:21:21","modified_gmt":"2018-08-29T18:21:21","slug":"the-22nd-sunday-of-ordinary-time-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/2018\/08\/29\/the-22nd-sunday-of-ordinary-time-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

<\/span>The Sunday<\/span> <\/span>Liturgy Commentary<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The <\/span>22<\/span>nd<\/span> Sunday of Ordinary Time<\/span> \u2013 <\/span>2<\/span>nd<\/span> September<\/span> 2018<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lectionary readings: <\/span>Dt 4 1-2,6-8<\/span>; Ps. <\/span>15<\/span>:<\/span>2<\/span>-3, 3-4, 4-5<\/span>; <\/span>Jas<\/span> <\/span>1<\/span>:<\/span>1<\/span>7<\/span>–<\/span>18, 21b-22, 27<\/span>; <\/span>Mk 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Theme: <\/span>The <\/span>heart of observing the <\/span>law<\/span>, is observing the law of the heart<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Download<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"T<\/span>his Sunday\u2019s set of readings gives us <\/span>a<\/span>n interesting connection from the first reading up until the Gospel. In the first reading, Deuteronomy, we see Moses\u2019 exhortation to the children of Israel to \u201chear the statutes and decrees. . .and to observe them, do not ad nor subtract from it. . . to observe it carefully. . .\u201d In the Psalms, we read and pray about \u201cthe one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord\u201d by describing a live lived in doing acts of justice and righteousness. In the letter of James, he exhorts \u201cbe doers of the word and not hearers only.\u201d<\/span> Finally in the Gospel we read Jesus\u2019s teaching about observing the law on ritual purity.<\/span> What connection can we see?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The key to the connection might be the word: observing\/doing. Obviously, since it consistently reappears in all the readings we have this Sunday. <\/span>We can see <\/span>that<\/span> the<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>emphasize<\/span> not only \u201chearing the law\u201d but \u201cobserving it.\u201d What does it mean for us to observe it then? <\/span>Is it not enough to \u201cdo\u201d what the law for one to say that she\/he \u201cobserves\u201d the law? <\/span>It is interesting that in the Gospel, Jesus shifts the attention to the congruence of what is done outwardly and the inward disposition<\/span> which drives the outward action<\/span>. <\/span>It may be misleading to say that Jesus puts more importance <\/span>o<\/span>n the internal disposition and does away with the external observance of the law\/commandments of God. On the contrary, we may consider that Jesus teaches observance of the law as important but that goes to the depths of what it means to really observe the law<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The deal-breaker? The heart. <\/span>He says, \u201c<\/span>Nothing that enters one from the outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.\u201d<\/span> Reading further, \u201cIt is what comes out of a person that defiles. <\/span>For it<\/span> is from within, from the human heart that evil intentions come.\u201d Pope Francis quotes the final verse from the Gospel in his book On Self-Accusation: Corruption and Sin.<\/span> Observance is not limited in the external acts of piety but in the total<\/span> is the matter of the heart.<\/span> Externalities may be <\/span>important, but<\/span> we should also watch over the fragmentation of our observance of the law which can emerge from a heart that is immersed<\/span> <\/span>and infected by evil. <\/span>Jesus in the Gospel reminds us that while observing the law is good, we should<\/span> keep watch over our heart from which either authentic obedience or hypocrisy ensues.<\/span> Observing the law is not just doing what the law says<\/span> <\/span>but observing it with all our heart. At the heart of<\/span> observing the<\/span> law, is <\/span>observing the<\/span> law of the heart.<\/span> Justice is demanded of us not only in our external acts but must come from the heart. Simply, goodness and justices involves the totality of our very person: the integrity of our actions in sync with our internal dispositions. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We may read this controversy in the Gospel of Mark not so much about Jesus going against the Pharisee\u2019s interpretation of the law but about Jesus confronting our<\/span> superficiality and even hypocrisy when it comes to our observance of the law.<\/span> In the world today, <\/span>especially in the rise of populist leaders in many countries, <\/span>we see violence unleashed, <\/span>the widespread <\/span>neglect <\/span>and non-tolerance, even propositions of condoning death and destruction, justified by and done in the name of \u201cobservance of the law.\u201d This Sunday\u2019s readings challenge us not only to pay lip service to the law but, as the first reading from Deuteronomy mentions, to observe and to keep the law authentically<\/span>.<\/span> Inspired by this<\/span>,<\/span> we hear the echo of the very Spirit which inspires Bat Kol <\/span>\u00a0Institute to proclaim: \u201cWe will <\/span>hear,<\/span> and we will do!\u201d (Dt. 5:27)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

For Reflection and Discussion<\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>[1<\/span>]<\/span> <\/span>What were the moments when we have become superficial in our observance of the law?<\/span> <\/span>[2]<\/span> <\/span>Where is our heart? What comes from our hearts? Do we use our external acts of piety to cover up for the \u2018evil\u201d which arises from our hearts?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bibliography<\/span>: <\/span>Amy Jill-Levine<\/span> and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds.<\/span>,<\/span> \u201cMark 7,\u201d<\/span> <\/span>in <\/span>The<\/span> <\/span>Jewish Annotated New Testament<\/span> (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011).<\/span> Jorge Mario Bergoglio, <\/span>Way <\/span>of<\/span> Humility Corruption <\/span>and<\/span> Sin <\/span>on<\/span> Self Accusation<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This week\u2019s teaching commentary was prepared by<\/span><\/p>\n

John Paul A. Bolano<\/span>, <\/span>MA<\/span>,<\/span> Philippines<\/span>, Bat Kol <\/span>2017<\/span><\/p>\n

Email address:<\/span> <\/span>jbolano@ateneo.edu<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span>[Copyright \u00a9 2018]<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

PLEASE NOTE<\/span>: The weekly Gospel commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their <\/span>authors, and<\/span> are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Sunday Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol. Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026.<\/span>\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem<\/span><\/p>\n

1983-201<\/span>8<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Mail to:<\/span> <\/span>gill@batkol.info<\/span><\/a> <\/span>Website<\/span>:<\/span> <\/span>www.batkol.info<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

@import url(https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-content\/plugins\/siteorigin-panels\/css\/front-flex.min.css); #pgc-4108-0-0 , #pgc-4108-0-2 { width:10%;width:calc(10% – ( 0.9 * 30px ) ) } #pgc-4108-0-1 { width:80%;width:calc(80% – ( 0.2 * 30px ) ) } #pl-4108 #panel-4108-0-1-0 { } #pl-4108 .so-panel { margin-bottom:30px } #pl-4108 .so-panel:last-child { margin-bottom:0px } #pg-4108-0.panel-no-style, #pg-4108-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style { -webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start } @media (max-width:780px){ #pg-4108-0.panel-no-style, #pg-4108-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style { -webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column } #pg-4108-0 .panel-grid-cell { margin-right:0 } #pg-4108-0 .panel-grid-cell { width:100% } #pgc-4108-0-0 , #pgc-4108-0-1 { margin-bottom:30px } #pl-4108 .panel-grid-cell { padding:0 } #pl-4108 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-empty { display:none } #pl-4108 .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last { margin-bottom:0px } } <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sunday Liturgy Commentary The 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time \u2013 2nd September 2018 Lectionary readings: Dt 4 1-2,6-8; Ps. 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5; Jas 1:17–18, 21b-22, 27; Mk 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23 Theme: The heart of observing the law, is observing the law of the heart   Download   This Sunday\u2019s set of readings gives us an…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":4100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4108"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/46"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4108\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ratisbonne.org.il\/bk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}