Deut 4: 1-2, 6-8; Psalm 14(15): 2-5; James 1: 1-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
fter the testamentary speech from Joshua last week, this week we have the beginning of Moses’ last testament, following God’s refusal to allow Moses to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy Moses sums up the Law, but with some relaxations from the strict Law given by God on Sinai. As God’s representative, Moses allowed divorce and hating enemies. But God’s justice cannot change, and Jesus will later reverse these changes, made “because of their hardness of heart”. Observing God’s Law “will demonstrate to the peoples” their wisdom and understanding.
The Psalm summarises the moral qualities required to be “at one” with the Lord, especially the social virtues of justice and charity.
James also insists “do what the word tells you”, especially helping the vulnerable and avoiding contamination by the world. We must be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”. More practical advice from James in the coming weeks.
Jesus gives the same message: his disciples should do what the Pharisees say, but not what they do. As Peter is to learn later before preaching to Cornelius, “nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean”. It is what we do that can make us unclean, not lack of washing. This teaching is underlined immediately by the faith of the Syro-Phoenician woman.
Psalm Response: The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
(Deut 4: 1-2, 6-8; Psalm 14(15): 2-5; James 1: 1-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23)