Breaking Open the Word
22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 1, 2024
Introduction
The first reading comes from the book of Deuteronomy. It would be convenient if law were an absolute that never changed. And, indeed, some law is absolute, the law to love God and one’s neighbor. Usually, the laws that do not change are those that encourage us toward good rather than those that discourage us from evil. Even so, a law forbidding an evil act is usually there to foster or protect something good. In every instance, rules and regulations are negative things only when we fail to look behind them and see the ideals that created them. The law of the God is presumed by Moses to make life for the Israelites a joyful and liberating experience. “You shall neither add to nor subtract from what I command you.” In this statement we see the parallel between this text and the gospel narrative for today. Moses clearly believes that one test of the quality of our observance is what others have to say about us. It is important to him that Israel give evidence of the goodness of God by observing the commandments. We cannot help being reminded of Jesus’ words: “By this shall the world know you are my disciples, that you love one another.”
For the next five Sundays the second reading will be taken from James. His purpose is clear at the beginning of his letter: “Be doers of the word.” By coincidence, this opening section of James fits nicely into the treatment of God’s commandments that appear in the other two readings today. The reading ends with specific examples of faith that is not only professed but put in to practice. These examples show a definition of true religion and the purest form of worship. The thought for which James is justly famous comes towards the end: “Be doers of the word, not just hearers.” It is surely a challenge before us each day.
Gospel Explained
Some people might hear today’s gospel as justification for trivializing or eliminating rituals. Nothing could be further from the Jesus’ words. Motive is all, and the only valid motive in worship is to give glory and praise to God as a community united in faith. The motive of good works is to honor the image of God in our neighbor, whether it is visible or not. It is certainly true that ritual without heart is empty show. And good works done for the wrong reason dishonor the recipient. Jesus’ words are strong about getting caught up in what one does on the outside. Religion cannot be all externals. He adapts a quote from Isaiah about paying lip service to God with no heart. He warns them about insisting human rules are God’s will. Deuteronomy speaks of God’s law as a way to show gratitude for God’s great love. The Pharisees took God’s law seriously and followed it with devotion. But a few of the Pharisees forgot the heart of religion, God’s relationship with people and got trapped in regulations. This passage can speak to our lives in the Church today.
Today's Theme
Today’s Theme: Be doers of the word
The letter from James draws more from Jesus’ teaching than any other letter in the New Testament. It urges us to live justly and morally because Christ will hold us accountable for our actions. There is no time to waste as we seek to know and live God’s word. By insisting that God gives good gifts, James pointedly rejects the notion that God tempts people to sin. On the contrary, the one who gave us light itself acts with unfailing goodness.
In this letter, James addresses the whole Christian Church in general, rather than speaking just to a particular community or person as Paul did in his letters. After dealing with the value of trials and temptations and refuting the argument that temptations come from God . James provides the only formal definition of religion in the Bible. He defines true religion as translating the love of God into deeds of loving kindness toward the vulnerable members of the community and putting into practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. More specifically, true religion means that one is to “care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
In desiring only good for people, God brings them to new life through baptism and the proclamation of his word. Like the first crops gathered during a harvest, those who heed God’s word are sure to enter eternal life.
Theme in our Life Today
God’s word challenges us to live differently. As we hear God calling us to change the way we speak and act, James warns us not to ignore what we’ve heard.
God’s word, like the Christian religion itself, demands radical action. We should help others, especially those in need. In the Old Testament orphans and widows represent the weakest members of society.
James also warns us not to conform to the values of our culture. In today’s society, the values shown in the media are not always values consistent with what Jesus teaches us and nes that challenge Christians to “hold on tight” to their faith and beliefs. We are called to love our neighbors like ourselves. We are called to serve one another and take care of those in need. We are called to live our faith and be disciples of Jesus. Through the gospels, Jesus has taught us how to spread the Good News here on earth and he has told us what it will take to live with him in his kingdom for eternity. Go be doers of the word!!!
Prepare for Sunday
1. Consider a time when your heart led you to do something good, but the “law” stood in your way.
2. Relate a time when you judged a person unacceptable because of externals.
3. Think of an experience when “the way we do things” got in the way of what is really important
4. How do you evaluate whether you are a doer or a hearer of God’s word?
PRAYER
Father of light,
Giver of all that is good,
you share your Spirit with us
and invite us to participate in your work of renewing the world.
Keep us attentive to your word.
Gently reveal the ways we resist doing what is just and moral.
Forgive us when we know what is right
but fail to act on that knowledge.
Help us distinguish between the values of the world and the values of your kingdom,
and help us persevere in upholding your will.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.