Today’s Readings:
Genesis 1:20 — 2:4a
Ps 8: (2ab)4-9
Mark 7:1-13
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020723.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-february-7-2023
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
The key message in today’s Readings is Word of God or Commandments of God can not be manipulated or mixed with human traditions or teachings. Human traditions are supporting functions of the Main function which is the Word of God. The Word of God or spirit of truth is a living spirit. The living spirit of love can be manifested only in love . If we try to live this spirit by Science ,human intelligence, Knowledge, power, prosperity, feel good attitude, passion, descipline, Professionalism the purpose of the Word of God is not lived but bargained or adjusted as per the human standard where there is no love as the main function but Worldly precepts act as main function and love is only a puppet or names sake.
These traditions have not stopped from Judaism but increased in Christianity. Some preachers give Word of God as mantras to chat, Christianity is not chanting way of life but following Christ in person. If we hv to meditate the Word of God and claim the promises then how do we walk with our Master. The Word of God is Spirit of God portrayed in human script , when we meditate and claim the Word of God , the Word of God becomes active and starts walking with us on its virtues or direction, if we do not walk in that direction but only go on claiming or meditating the Word of God it is foolishness . It is like a person reading the direction of the map or signs of the traffic but not following them.If we follow then only we can reach our destination of Holiness.
Man was created in the image of God. God’s image is divine or holy . Man is designed in Holiness , when we lose our image of holiness , the word of God cleanses us from the Worldly image and brings in to our original image. Word of God is an application which shows the truth of our life. When apply this Word of God in our life in action , the Holy Spirit in his gifts and fruits empowers us and beatified us in holiness.
We see Protestants busy in claiming the Word of God and Catholics following the Church traditions, in both the Holy Spirit is missing, We must claim and Walk , traditions give us essence which we must follow but just obligations can not hatch the egg.
Prayer: Lord make us worthy to the promises of Christ. Amen.
PRAYER REFLECTIONS 