"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: The Word of God

BEADS OF JOY 02-12-19
“The Word of God”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Mark 7:1-13 (Tradition of The Elders)

“Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' You leave the commandment of God and hold fast the tradition of men." And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) - then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."

Reflection:
Today's scripture is a rather interesting reflection. In this gospel Jesus interacts and has a conversation with the Pharisees and some of the scribes. Today's gospel is all about the unwritten laws that the scribes and Pharisees considered to be as binding as the Mosaic Law. Jesus rejects the elder’s tradition, and He warns them against petty human teachings before the divine commandments; and those that use their tradition to avoid their obligations. Jesus is without a doubt thee authoritative one to interpret the Old Testament. Isn't it ironic that the very altar the scribes and Pharisees were using was the very altar of God the Father, while they were chastising God the Son.

How would the Pharisees and scribes expect us to approach God? Do we approach God with our hearts, and soul and mind clean and pure? The answer is a simple "NO". No one can, we are all sinners. Jesus accepts us just as we are. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24, aren't we so blessed and loved, do you see why I get so excited over scripture. Here's another one. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5God's love for us is greater than our sin, He accepts us just as we are. It's God's love that is poured out into our hearts. Father Larry Richards said it best, "If we only knew how much God loves us, we'd all be saints."

If you live by these laws and rules or any laws and rules that are not from God, but rather from man; then all they do is distance you from God. In vs.6-7 of this scripture Jesus refers to the Book of Isaiah. "He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." The Lord wants us to love and obey Him, not a bunch of rules and laws a couple of people made up. God has given us His word, and we need to spend time in it and learn it directly from Him, what it is that our lives are all about.

Anyone can be blinded easily in this world today, there are many people out there doing just that to fellow believers. Sometimes we may not even realize it's happening to us in our lives. "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." 2 Peter 2:1-3 Please stay on the path that leads to our Lord. Be involved in your church community (charity), share about your faith (evangelize), build deep lasting bonds (fellowship). You'll have the time of your life I promise you.

Stay loyal to your church, study your bible and pray the rosary every day.

You get around
the commandment of God
Mark 7:1-13

Spiritual Blind Spots
w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz

Mary Beneath the Cross
w/ Fr. Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1^.Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2^.Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3^.Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4^.Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5^.The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…