1. Reminder: The notes/recaps from our meetings will be posted on our Catholic Catacombs website usually within 24 hours. Please visit https://catholiccatacombs.wixsite.com/website/blog where you will also find the previous Bible Study notes.
2. Remember: In God coming here as Jesus, we get to relate to Him more personally. This is one reason The Chosen is highly recommended. The 2nd season is over so it’s a good time to catch up. Both seasons can be viewed at https://thechosen.link/1Y1R7.
3. Bible Study Format Question. Survey Results. New format to start Aug 31 so we can take Sept 6 off for Labor Day.
4. If you have questions about anything, you can email Ron at ron@hallagan.net.
Note: I committed way earlier in the year to explaining the meaning and historical context of the components of the Mass, and we only completed the Eucharist. Therefore, I will be spending 10 minutes at the beginning of each meeting until this task is complete.
Year B (Mark), 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
This coming Sunday: Jesus criticizes human tradition (Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23)
Survey Results
Do you like the proposed format of W1-Gospels, W2-Bible Timeline, W3-Topic of Choice, W4- Open Mic?
a. Yes: Unanimous
For Gospels in W1, are you content with Ron's current route of focusing on the upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading?
b. Yes: Unanimous
For Bible Study in W2, would you prefer continuing chronologically (Genesis to Revelations), or alternate between OT and NT?
c. Chronologically: 70%
For W4, would you prefer an Open Mic meeting (format TBD) or to take a week off?
d. Open Mic: 90%, but off during holiday weeks
There are opening for volunteers at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center (one Sat/month--roughly 2 hours).
e. 1 Yes – Rachel!
Taylor will send a final survey on the topics for Week 3 tonight.
Mass: The Sign of the Cross – At the beginning of every Mass, the priest and congregation begin by making the Sign of the Cross together. The Sign of the Cross is a tradition that goes back to the beginning of the Church and was used to invoke of divine power and protection, which was especially needed because of persecutions. Tertullian, a famous second century theologian, writes that the sign was discreetly made on one’s forehead and invited God to bless us, assist us, and protect us from all harm. The sign of the cross obviously proclaims our belief in Trinity even though Trinity wasn’t a term yet. The Trinity is the #1 greatest mystery in all of Christianity, from which all other Christian beliefs flow, and they make use of the exact words of Jesus Christ just before he ascended into heaven: “Go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Here is another quote from an early Church Father:
“Never leave your house without making the sign of the cross. It will be to you a staff, a weapon, an impregnable fortress. Neither man nor demon will dare to attack you, seeing you covered with such powerful armor. Let this sign teach you that you are a soldier, ready to combat against the demons, and ready to fight for the crown of justice. Do you realize what the cross has done? It has vanquished death, destroyed sin, emptied hell, dethroned Satan, and restored the universe. Would you then doubt its power? – St. John Chrysostom, AD 391.
Whenever you make the Sign of the Cross going forward, think of its history and the Communion of Saints throughout history that you are connecting to. Think of the invitation you are making to the Blessed Trinity, whether at the beginning and end of Mass, or of your prayers.
1. Reminder: The notes/recaps from our meetings will be posted on our Catholic Catacombs website usually within 24 hours. Please visit https://catholiccatacombs.wixsite.com/website/blog where you will also find the previous Bible Study notes.
2. Remember: In God coming here as Jesus, we get to relate to Him more personally. This is one reason The Chosen is highly recommended. The 2nd season is over so it’s a good time to catch up. Both seasons can be viewed at https://thechosen.link/1Y1R7.
3. Bible Study Format Question. Survey Results. New format to start Aug 31 so we can take Sept 6 off for Labor Day.
4. If you have questions about anything, you can email Ron at ron@hallagan.net.
Note: I committed way earlier in the year to explaining the meaning and historical context of the components of the Mass, and we only completed the Eucharist. Therefore, I will be spending 10 minutes at the beginning of each meeting until this task is complete.
Year B (Mark), 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
This coming Sunday: Jesus criticizes human tradition (Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23)
Survey Results
Do you like the proposed format of W1-Gospels, W2-Bible Timeline, W3-Topic of Choice, W4- Open Mic?
a. Yes: Unanimous
For Gospels in W1, are you content with Ron's current route of focusing on the upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading?
b. Yes: Unanimous
For Bible Study in W2, would you prefer continuing chronologically (Genesis to Revelations), or alternate between OT and NT?
c. Chronologically: 70%
For W4, would you prefer an Open Mic meeting (format TBD) or to take a week off?
d. Open Mic: 90%, but off during holiday weeks
There are opening for volunteers at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center (one Sat/month--roughly 2 hours).
e. 1 Yes – Rachel!
Taylor will send a final survey on the topics for Week 3 tonight.
Mass: The Sign of the Cross – At the beginning of every Mass, the priest and congregation begin by making the Sign of the Cross together. The Sign of the Cross is a tradition that goes back to the beginning of the Church and was used to invoke of divine power and protection, which was especially needed because of persecutions. Tertullian, a famous second century theologian, writes that the sign was discreetly made on one’s forehead and invited God to bless us, assist us, and protect us from all harm. The sign of the cross obviously proclaims our belief in Trinity even though Trinity wasn’t a term yet. The Trinity is the #1 greatest mystery in all of Christianity, from which all other Christian beliefs flow, and they make use of the exact words of Jesus Christ just before he ascended into heaven: “Go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Here is another quote from an early Church Father:
“Never leave your house without making the sign of the cross. It will be to you a staff, a weapon, an impregnable fortress. Neither man nor demon will dare to attack you, seeing you covered with such powerful armor. Let this sign teach you that you are a soldier, ready to combat against the demons, and ready to fight for the crown of justice. Do you realize what the cross has done? It has vanquished death, destroyed sin, emptied hell, dethroned Satan, and restored the universe. Would you then doubt its power? – St. John Chrysostom, AD 391.
Whenever you make the Sign of the Cross going forward, think of its history and the Communion of Saints throughout history that you are connecting to. Think of the invitation you are making to the Blessed Trinity, whether at the beginning and end of Mass, or of your prayers.
Q: Who is the Communion of Saints?
The fellowship of all those united to Jesus Christ in baptism, those in the process of journeying to God, those undergoing purification before Heaven, and all those in Heaven. We are all united in love and prayer. It is also mentioned in the Nicene Creed. Also called the Church.
Q: What is the Mystical Body of Christ?
Kind of the same. The Mystical Body of Christ is a term used by Paul and is made up of all the believers in Jesus Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head of the body and the Communion of Saints as members of the body.
Context of Mark 7: The Church took the last 4 weeks off from our journey through Mark, during which time we spent 3 weeks covering John 6 and one on All Things Mary. We now return to Mark, Ch. 7. Jesus has just spent time healing hundreds of sick/disabled in Gennesaret.
Q: What are the three main historical regions of biblical Israel?
Judea – Samaria - Galilee
Q: What there a strategic reason that Jesus spent so much time in Galilee?
There was a highly traveled trade route called the Via Maris (Way of the Sea) that went from Egypt up the coast of Israel past Caesarea, east across the Jezreel plains to the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum, then up the Jordan Valley and on to Damascus, where it hooked up with the King’s Highway and onward through Mesopotamia. The Via Maris brought thousands of people through the Galilee at every season of the year, especially at the time of the Jewish pilgrim feasts when Jews were required to pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
In today’s reading, we find that Pharisees and scribes have been sent by the Temple hierarchy in Jerusalem to examine whatever Jesus says and does, much in the same way they did with John the Baptist before he was arrested and beheaded.
Q: Today’s reading will also refer to the "traditions of the elders." What is this?
Like any laws, the laws of Moses required interpretation: how, when, for whom, and in what circumstances are the regulations to be applied? Over the centuries, an oral tradition had developed and handed down by generations of rabbis. For the Pharisees, this oral tradition was as binding as the written Torah. It prescribed numerous, detailed rules of conduct for daily life; so much so, that carrying it out had become a burden and also ran the risk of obscuring the original purpose of the law. Many of these traditions continue to this day; most were put into writing by the 7th Century AD by the Rabbinic Jews, who are the modern-day descendants of the Pharisees.
Q: Who were the 6 identifiable groups of Jews at the time of Jesus?
1) Sadducees a) Largest, most followed, dominated Temple life
2) Pharisees b) Trained in guerilla warfare, determined to rid Israel of domination by any means
3) Zealots c) The official interpreters of the Jewish Scripture (usually a Pharisee or Sadducee). The Temple “lawyers.”
4) Essenes d) The aristocratic Jews of wealthy families. Followed the Pentateuch only, no resurrection of the dead.
5) Herodians e) A mix of the others except, unlike them, they wanted to retain the Herodian over the Davidic dynasty.
6) Scribes f) Lived a monastery-like existence in Qumran, near the Red Sea. Keepers of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Pharisees began to expand their authority over religious matters after the Maccabean revolt in 160 BC. They eventually began teaching that the ritual purity practices that had only applied to the Temple priests, should be extended to all the Jewish people. As time went on, they continued to add their own interpretations and customs to the Mosaic Law, making the Law far more of a burden for people than just moral guidelines to live by.
That takes us up to today’s “plot” as the Pharisees and scribes notice that Jesus’ disciples are not following one of their “traditions” – a ceremonial washing of hands before eating – and so they confront him. Again, as with John the Baptist, some are seeking to build a case against this nonconformist, Jesus, who not only wasn’t adhering to their traditions but did not give the Temple authorities proper deference.
Gospel of Mark 7: 1-14, 20-23
Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, and they saw some of his disciples eating with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When coming from the marketplace, they do not eat without purifying themselves, and they observed many other traditions, such as the purification of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches for dining.)
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat with defiled hands?”
Jesus replied, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.”
You disregard God’s laws, yet you hold on to human traditions.”
He went on to say, “How skillful you are in setting aside the Commandments in order to uphold your tradition!
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses or abuses one’s father or mother shall die.’
Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is corban” (meaning, dedicated to God), and you no longer require them to do anything more for his father or mother! You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things!”
He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand this: Nothing that enters one from
outside can defile that person; but the things that come out of a man are what defile him. It is from within people, from their hearts, that evil thoughts come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lust, envy, slander, arrogance, and recklessness. All these evils come from inside and they are what defiles a person.”
Q: Why do you suppose there are parentheses around Verse 3 – Mark’s explanation of the violation?
Because the Gospel of Mark is written for a Gentile audience, so he will occasionally explain Jewish customs. (Won’t see this in Matt)
Q: What was the charge made against Jesus’ disciples?
They didn’t properly wash their hands before eating.
Q: Did Jesus defend his disciples against this one accusation?
No. Instead, he levels a countercharge challenging the entire structure of Pharisaic legalism, and calls them hypocrites.
Q: Jesus uses term “hypocrite” several times in scripture. He clearly does not like hypocrisy. What is a hypocrite?
The word itself is from Greek and means “actor” and, as such, is not a negative concept. However, when applied to religious observance, it carries a strong negative tone. Religious hypocrites are phony, insincere people who pretend to be one thing when, in fact, they are something totally different. In this case, Jesus sees them ignoring justice, mercy, and authenticity while they parade around looking important and enforcing their customs on average Jews. As Jesus says in Matthew 23:4:
“They lay heavy burdens on the people but they are not willing to lift a finger themselves.”
Q: Jesus quotes Isaiah in Verse 7. Where is this quote in Isaiah and what does it mean?
Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” It’s around 750BC, Isaiah is chastising the people of Jerusalem for ignoring God's word and paying more attention to additions to the Law that were only human precepts.
Q: Jesus accused them of misusing corban (also spelled qorban or korban). What is corban?
It is a dedication (or offering) to the Temple. In Jesus’ example, it is being used to replace a more important obligation.
Q: Jesus was accusing the Temple priests of accepting corban in place of what Commandment?
4th Commandment: Honor they father and mother. Jesus accuses the Pharisees of manipulating the commandment that required caring for aging parents by declaring portions of their wealth to become corban (Temple donation “to God.”), thus allowing them to neglect their parents. Jesus denounces them for this and says giving gifts to the Temple does not exempt the covenant people from the obligation of honoring their parents through their finical support.
This practice was one of the “human traditions” of the Pharisees. Jesus says there were many others and then attacks another one.
Q: What other human traditions did Jesus attack?
The ritual of making purifying dining ware (cups, bowls, plates, jars…) before putting food into them, so as not to defile the contents before entering your body. Jesus explains to them that it is what comes out of a person that defiles him, not what goes into the person. He gives a dozen examples.
Q: The Catholic Church teaches that Scripture and Tradition are part of the faith. What is the difference between Tradition in the Catholic Church and the “human tradition” that Jesus was referring to?
Today’s passages regarding human tradition are sometimes cited against the Catholic understanding of the authority of Tradition together with Scripture as the rule of faith. But it is important to note that Jesus is not rejecting tradition per se, which an important part of apostolic teaching in the early Church. In other words, he wasn’t condemning corban (giving to the Temple). He was condemning making a corban vow when it prevents you from following God’s commandments (in this case, honoring one’s parents).
Tradition was common among in Apostolic times and those same traditions have been passed on from generation to generation. Here are several NT scriptural references to tradition, and there are more (I added the bolding):
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 1 Cor 11:2
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thes 3:6
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by speech or by letter from us. 2 Thes 2:15
Several additional points to remember:
First, the Catholic Church does not make up tradition. It is tradition because it has been passed on from the early Church – most often from Apostolic times; most are directly or indirectly related to Scripture; and tradition never, ever conflicts with the teachings of Jesus Christ. It was the Churches authority through tradition that the words Trinity, Incarnation, Epiphany, and Christmas came into use as they not found anywhere in Scripture; but they are inferred. The creation of the Bible in the 4th Century was done under the Church’s authority of tradition; otherwise there would have been no Bible (including word "Bible"). Catholic traditions are completely opposite of the human traditions that Jesus was questioning today, which were mostly made up by the Pharisees during the 150 years before Christ, and which DID conflict with God’s teachings.
Second, today’s words from Jesus represented a philosophical turning point in Christianity that would contribute to it becoming separated from Judaism. Judaism clung tightly to these human traditions and Jesus basically put an end to them. The Apostles view of tradition (as seen in the scripture references above) was measured against what they learned from Jesus.
As for Jesus’ attitude towards the purity laws in our reading, if such laws help one to obtain holiness, then keep them. However, if they impeded spiritual growth – or contravene the teachings of God/Jesus – then they have little value.
Jesus was also opposed to legalism, which sometimes confuses people.
Q: What is legalism?
Legalism is holding to the letter of the law over and above the spirit of the law.
This may be where Protestants got the false idea that Catholics believed if they did just the right things (check all the obligation boxes), they could go straight to heaven. That is false, but then Protestants (and every other religion) are guilty the box-checking mentality, too.
Checking the obligation boxes isn’t good enough. The Protestants are right that one needs faith because if you don’t have faith, then you don’t have a relationship with God. So faith IS needed. But that’s just the first half. Now this faith has to change who we are. We need to put our faith into practice, arm-in-arm with God. Without this part, our faith is dead (James 2:26).
For 2000 years, Catholics have believed that faith, like love, are not static; they are active - they are verbs!
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for the blessing of reading your word together.
We ask that these words of life, truth and hope would continue to impact us in the week ahead.
May your love and grace follow each of us as we return to our daily lives, refreshed and blessed by you.
We ask all this in your name.
Trinitarian Communion Prayer
Father, thank you for loving us into existence, and for coming back for us when we turned our backs on you.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming here and walking in our shoes; for showing us the way; for paying our way;
for leaving yourself behind; and for sending your Holy Spirit to help us the rest of the way.
Holy Spirit, fill every space inside of us; leave no room for our selfishness to act.
In all our encounters, enable us to see with your eyes, hear with your ears,
and speak with your words. Amen.
And Taylor’s closing devotion…
Oh Lord……this is it!
Q: Who is the Communion of Saints?
The fellowship of all those united to Jesus Christ in baptism, those in the process of journeying to God, those undergoing purification before Heaven, and all those in Heaven. We are all united in love and prayer. It is also mentioned in the Nicene Creed. Also called the Church.
Q: What is the Mystical Body of Christ?
Kind of the same. The Mystical Body of Christ is a term used by Paul and is made up of all the believers in Jesus Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head of the body and the Communion of Saints as members of the body.
Context of Mark 7: The Church took the last 4 weeks off from our journey through Mark, during which time we spent 3 weeks covering John 6 and one on All Things Mary. We now return to Mark, Ch. 7. Jesus has just spent time healing hundreds of sick/disabled in Gennesaret.
Q: What are the three main historical regions of biblical Israel?
Judea – Samaria - Galilee
Q: What there a strategic reason that Jesus spent so much time in Galilee?
There was a highly traveled trade route called the Via Maris (Way of the Sea) that went from Egypt up the coast of Israel past Caesarea, east across the Jezreel plains to the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum, then up the Jordan Valley and on to Damascus, where it hooked up with the King’s Highway and onward through Mesopotamia. The Via Maris brought thousands of people through the Galilee at every season of the year, especially at the time of the Jewish pilgrim feasts when Jews were required to pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
In today’s reading, we find that Pharisees and scribes have been sent by the Temple hierarchy in Jerusalem to examine whatever Jesus says and does, much in the same way they did with John the Baptist before he was arrested and beheaded.
Q: Today’s reading will also refer to the "traditions of the elders." What is this?
Like any laws, the laws of Moses required interpretation: how, when, for whom, and in what circumstances are the regulations to be applied? Over the centuries, an oral tradition had developed and handed down by generations of rabbis. For the Pharisees, this oral tradition was as binding as the written Torah. It prescribed numerous, detailed rules of conduct for daily life; so much so, that carrying it out had become a burden and also ran the risk of obscuring the original purpose of the law. Many of these traditions continue to this day; most were put into writing by the 7th Century AD by the Rabbinic Jews, who are the modern-day descendants of the Pharisees.
Q: Who were the 6 identifiable groups of Jews at the time of Jesus?
1) Sadducees a) Largest, most followed, dominated Temple life
2) Pharisees b) Trained in guerilla warfare, determined to rid Israel of domination by any means
3) Zealots c) The official interpreters of the Jewish Scripture (usually a Pharisee or Sadducee). The Temple “lawyers.”
4) Essenes d) The aristocratic Jews of wealthy families. Followed the Pentateuch only, no resurrection of the dead.
5) Herodians e) A mix of the others except, unlike them, they wanted to retain the Herodian over the Davidic dynasty.
6) Scribes f) Lived a monastery-like existence in Qumran, near the Red Sea. Keepers of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Pharisees began to expand their authority over religious matters after the Maccabean revolt in 160 BC. They eventually began teaching that the ritual purity practices that had only applied to the Temple priests, should be extended to all the Jewish people. As time went on, they continued to add their own interpretations and customs to the Mosaic Law, making the Law far more of a burden for people than just moral guidelines to live by.
That takes us up to today’s “plot” as the Pharisees and scribes notice that Jesus’ disciples are not following one of their “traditions” – a ceremonial washing of hands before eating – and so they confront him. Again, as with John the Baptist, some are seeking to build a case against this nonconformist, Jesus, who not only wasn’t adhering to their traditions but did not give the Temple authorities proper deference.
Gospel of Mark 7: 1-14, 20-23
Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, and they saw some of his disciples eating with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When coming from the marketplace, they do not eat without purifying themselves, and they observed many other traditions, such as the purification of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches for dining.)
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat with defiled hands?”
Jesus replied, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.”
You disregard God’s laws, yet you hold on to human traditions.”
He went on to say, “How skillful you are in setting aside the Commandments in order to uphold your tradition!
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses or abuses one’s father or mother shall die.’
Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is corban” (meaning, dedicated to God), and you no longer require them to do anything more for his father or mother! You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things!”
He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand this: Nothing that enters one from
outside can defile that person; but the things that come out of a man are what defile him. It is from within people, from their hearts, that evil thoughts come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lust, envy, slander, arrogance, and recklessness. All these evils come from inside and they are what defiles a person.”
Q: Why do you suppose there are parentheses around Verse 3 – Mark’s explanation of the violation?
Because the Gospel of Mark is written for a Gentile audience, so he will occasionally explain Jewish customs. (Won’t see this in Matt)
Q: What was the charge made against Jesus’ disciples?
They didn’t properly wash their hands before eating.
Q: Did Jesus defend his disciples against this one accusation?
No. Instead, he levels a countercharge challenging the entire structure of Pharisaic legalism, and calls them hypocrites.
Q: Jesus uses term “hypocrite” several times in scripture. He clearly does not like hypocrisy. What is a hypocrite?
The word itself is from Greek and means “actor” and, as such, is not a negative concept. However, when applied to religious observance, it carries a strong negative tone. Religious hypocrites are phony, insincere people who pretend to be one thing when, in fact, they are something totally different. In this case, Jesus sees them ignoring justice, mercy, and authenticity while they parade around looking important and enforcing their customs on average Jews. As Jesus says in Matthew 23:4:
“They lay heavy burdens on the people but they are not willing to lift a finger themselves.”
Q: Jesus quotes Isaiah in Verse 7. Where is this quote in Isaiah and what does it mean?
Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” It’s around 750BC, Isaiah is chastising the people of Jerusalem for ignoring God's word and paying more attention to additions to the Law that were only human precepts.
Q: Jesus accused them of misusing corban (also spelled qorban or korban). What is corban?
It is a dedication (or offering) to the Temple. In Jesus’ example, it is being used to replace a more important obligation.
Q: Jesus was accusing the Temple priests of accepting corban in place of what Commandment?
4th Commandment: Honor they father and mother. Jesus accuses the Pharisees of manipulating the commandment that required caring for aging parents by declaring portions of their wealth to become corban (Temple donation “to God.”), thus allowing them to neglect their parents. Jesus denounces them for this and says giving gifts to the Temple does not exempt the covenant people from the obligation of honoring their parents through their finical support.
This practice was one of the “human traditions” of the Pharisees. Jesus says there were many others and then attacks another one.
Q: What other human traditions did Jesus attack?
The ritual of making purifying dining ware (cups, bowls, plates, jars…) before putting food into them, so as not to defile the contents before entering your body. Jesus explains to them that it is what comes out of a person that defiles him, not what goes into the person. He gives a dozen examples.
Q: The Catholic Church teaches that Scripture and Tradition are part of the faith. What is the difference between Tradition in the Catholic Church and the “human tradition” that Jesus was referring to?
Today’s passages regarding human tradition are sometimes cited against the Catholic understanding of the authority of Tradition together with Scripture as the rule of faith. But it is important to note that Jesus is not rejecting tradition per se, which an important part of apostolic teaching in the early Church. In other words, he wasn’t condemning corban (giving to the Temple). He was condemning making a corban vow when it prevents you from following God’s commandments (in this case, honoring one’s parents).
Tradition was common among in Apostolic times and those same traditions have been passed on from generation to generation. Here are several NT scriptural references to tradition, and there are more (I added the bolding):
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 1 Cor 11:2
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thes 3:6
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by speech or by letter from us. 2 Thes 2:15
Several additional points to remember:
First, the Catholic Church does not make up tradition. It is tradition because it has been passed on from the early Church – most often from Apostolic times; most are directly or indirectly related to Scripture; and tradition never, ever conflicts with the teachings of Jesus Christ. It was the Churches authority through tradition that the words Trinity, Incarnation, Epiphany, and Christmas came into use as they not found anywhere in Scripture; but they are inferred. The creation of the Bible in the 4th Century was done under the Church’s authority of tradition; otherwise there would have been no Bible (including word "Bible"). Catholic traditions are completely opposite of the human traditions that Jesus was questioning today, which were mostly made up by the Pharisees during the 150 years before Christ, and which DID conflict with God’s teachings.
Second, today’s words from Jesus represented a philosophical turning point in Christianity that would contribute to it becoming separated from Judaism. Judaism clung tightly to these human traditions and Jesus basically put an end to them. The Apostles view of tradition (as seen in the scripture references above) was measured against what they learned from Jesus.
As for Jesus’ attitude towards the purity laws in our reading, if such laws help one to obtain holiness, then keep them. However, if they impeded spiritual growth – or contravene the teachings of God/Jesus – then they have little value.
Jesus was also opposed to legalism, which sometimes confuses people.
Q: What is legalism?
Legalism is holding to the letter of the law over and above the spirit of the law.
This may be where Protestants got the false idea that Catholics believed if they did just the right things (check all the obligation boxes), they could go straight to heaven. That is false, but then Protestants (and every other religion) are guilty the box-checking mentality, too.
Checking the obligation boxes isn’t good enough. The Protestants are right that one needs faith because if you don’t have faith, then you don’t have a relationship with God. So faith IS needed. But that’s just the first half. Now this faith has to change who we are. We need to put our faith into practice, arm-in-arm with God. Without this part, our faith is dead (James 2:26).
For 2000 years, Catholics have believed that faith, like love, are not static; they are active - they are verbs!
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for the blessing of reading your word together.
We ask that these words of life, truth and hope would continue to impact us in the week ahead.
May your love and grace follow each of us as we return to our daily lives, refreshed and blessed by you.
We ask all this in your name.
Trinitarian Communion Prayer
Father, thank you for loving us into existence, and for coming back for us when we turned our backs on you.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming here and walking in our shoes; for showing us the way; for paying our way;
for leaving yourself behind; and for sending your Holy Spirit to help us the rest of the way.
Holy Spirit, fill every space inside of us; leave no room for our selfishness to act.
In all our encounters, enable us to see with your eyes, hear with your ears,
and speak with your words. Amen.
And Taylor’s closing devotion…
Oh Lord……this is it!
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