Gn 1:20-2:4a Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Mk 7:1-13

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

In the society in which we live, I think that we tend to focus on the “things” that we believe will satisfy ourselves. I know that I am certainly guilty of this. I am always excited about the new purse that I bought, the new laptop, or the new futon for my dorm room. Unfortunately, we are never satisfied with having one bag or one car; we always tend to want more things in hope that they will satisfy us.  I always find myself wanting more to satisfy my hunger for “things”. This identity of materialistic beings that we have created is not the identity that God wishes for us. According to the First Reading, God created us in his own image, and therefore, wants us to act in the way that he would. God is all-powerful, and he wants us to follow his command of loving one another before loving things, laws or any other article.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees about the disciples' failure to abide by the Jewish law of cleanliness. The Pharisees are overlooking the command of God and focusing on the little laws and rituals that they follow. Jesus wants us to focus more on our loving God and his presence with us rather than the law. So, let us remember that when we are tending to focus on the things like law or other seemingly satisfying items, and stop failing to recognize the love and presence of our powerful God.