Fifth Tue. in Ordinary Time, Feb. 6, 2007

Scripture: Genesis 1:20-2:4. Psalm 8. Mark 7:1-13:

Our Psalm for today is a hymn of praise which glorifies God for having
created the universe and everything within it. Psalm 8 does help us to pray
about the first two chapters of Genesis which offer us two different
stories about the creation of humankind. This hymn of praise (Psalm 8) is
the opening psalm for a series of psalms which will celebrate nature and
the universe as works of God (see Psalms 19, 29, and 104). In our
selection from Genesis, we are concluding the first story of creation which
has the traits and characteristics of a priestly hand at work. The inspired
writer was probably a learned priest or Levite during the time of the First
Temple of Israel in Jerusalem. His theology and tradition has a great
spirit of reverence for God who is called Elohim. This is an orderly
account treasuring the worship service done within the Temple. Hence, our
singing or praying of Psalm 8 gets us into the mood of this priestly
tradition. Tomorrow we will listen to a creation narrative from another
tradition which favors the down to earth approach in its theologizing about
the creation of Adam and Eve. This tradition is named the Yahwist since
that is the favorite name given to God in this theological perspective.
However, since this is a sacred name, it is not pronounced but another word
"Adonai" is read in its place when it appears in the text. Yahweh is
translated as Lord and it means God. Elohim from the first tradition is
translated into English as "God." I believe the Psalms of Praise for God's
creation would be very helpful when reflecting on yesterday's selection
from Genesis and tomorrow's. In turning to the Gospel of Mark we are put
into the situation of Jesus' teaching the interpreters of the law about his
spirit of the laws of Moses. He wants us to respect the laws and rituals
but to do so with a listening heart and a wisdom that knows when to make
exceptions to the rules. This calls for prudence and Jesus was a master at
this and the other virtues. I was fascinated by the challenge offered by
Jesus through the use of a passage from Isaiah: "This people honors me with
their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as dogma." (Isaiah29:13). I did not apply these
words to the listeners of Jesus but to myself. Do I make me own laws as a
way of controlling others? Am I a person of reverence for God's laws and
precepts trying to observe them with a listening and obedient heart? Can I
refrain from judging others when they think and do things differently from
me? Do I put myself above the laws of God and the precepts of the Church?
Lord, I ask that I have your spirit in interpreting and observing the rites
and commandments of the Church and your commandments. And above all, help
me not to criticize others because they do or do not observe some of your
laws. Amen.