Matters of the Heart

09-01-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The first reading tells us to observe the letter of the law, while the Gospel emphasizes the spirit of the law. Jesus cites the hypocrisy of the Pharisees for insisting on human tradition while neglecting the more important demands of the spirit of the law. The letter of St. James appeals to the spirit of the law as God’s perfect gift: be doers of the word, not hearers only, to be doers of God’s Will, to walk our talk.

Whenever we deal with laws and regulations, there are two extremes. The first are those who do not want any laws, rules, and regulations. People want to be free of institutions or establishments because they are also forms of rules and regulations. Second, the very literal followers of all the rules and regulations, some of which are trivial and no longer make sense, laws that do not serve the people and have become burdens that leave no room for personal decisions and freedom. But more often, the truth lies in the middle.

Jesus tells His listeners that the spirit of the Jewish purification laws is to keep the people closer to God by avoiding harmful contact with pagans. Following the rituals should move them to greater reverence for God and the sacred things of the liturgy and religious life. Jesus abolishes all purification laws of food; thus, no food can be considered unclean. Nothing that enters a man from outside can make him impure; that which comes out of him, and only that, constitutes impurity. Sins make us unclean; they originate from our hearts and will, not food. True purity means avoiding all sins that offend God and hurt our neighbor.

The Scribes and the Pharisees are acknowledged experts and guardians of the law. They should have known that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. Unfortunately, they completely missed and lost the real meaning of the law. They emphasize the external details of the law, fueled by their arrogance and pride. But in their hearts, the commandments of love of God and love of neighbor are practiced not. Jesus criticizes their hypocrisy: These people pay me lip service, but their heart is far from me. But He is not just speaking to the Pharisees but also to us. He explains that true purity means faithfulness to the Word of God, which is a matter of the heart. Love matters, just as the heart matters.

Gospel allows us to examine our following of the laws of God: internal obedience over external observances. Not to allow religion to be just a set of rules, regulations, and rituals, but rather, a way of loving God and neighbor. The Lord urges us to go beyond external observance of laws and seek a true conversion of the heart. He tells us about the importance of the heart. Words and actions are fruits of the purity of our hearts. Because, in the end, God sees the heart. Let us not disregard or belittle matters of the heart, for the heart matters.

Jesus condemns the hypocrisy and dishonesty of the Pharisees, very strict and literal in observing human rituals and traditions while failing miserably in following God’s commandments. The laws of the Old Testament are primarily rules for the soul a guide for the interior person and sets the heart for God. For this reason, more than physical cleansing, spiritual cleanliness leads to a humble and contrite heart.

Lord, help us not to forget the heart but to remember that matters of the heart do matter.
Happy 20th Anniversary, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish! Twenty years ago (1st Sept. 2004), we were established as a PARISH and Good Shepherd Church in New River, becoming a Mission. From celebrating the first Mass at Gavilan Peak Elementary School and moving to the Spirituality Center when it was completed in July of 2009, TODAY, we BREAK GROUNDS to construct a New Church. We have been gifted with so much FAITH, have grown this FAITH, and will continue to share our Catholic FAITH in this part of the Valley. Ad multos annos! ST. ROSE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY!!