BE
DOERS…NOT JUST HEARERS!
[Dt
4:1-2, 6-8 | Ps 15:2-3,3-4,4-5 | Ja 1:17-18,21B-22, 27 | Mk 7:1-8, 14-15,
21-23]
“A Sunday gospel reflection based
on the Pastoral Letter “Not by bread alone” of
the Most Rev. Moises M. Cuevas DD,
the Apostolic Administrator of Zamboanga”
It has been a while since the last
entry in this blog was published. Though how much we wanted to update our blog
weekly as possible, but the writers do also have their own affairs to work on.
Anyway, this Sunday’s readings and the pastoral letter which was read instead
of the homily is so rich in wisdom and I found it worthy for further
reflection. Lo and behold, while savoring the Word I got inspired to write
down my reflection.
First, the readings remind us to
guard ourselves from falling into that pit of self-righteousness, shallow
practice of “rituals” and blind adherence to the so-called “religious
traditions”. Yes, we are told by the first reading to observe the statutes or in
our case the “traditions” with reverence, but we are also warned by the second
reading that we “should be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” The Letter
of James, in our second reading also added what it means to be a “religion that
is undefiled before God and Father,” and he continues by saying that it is
about “caring for the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself
unstained by the world.” These are strong words from the Apostle James, reminding
us, the Church of the social dimension of our faith in Christ.
Second is this; what does it mean
when the Apostle mentions about keeping ourselves unstained by this world? One might
interpret it in a way that is contrary to the first premise—to care and to be
with the afflictions of the weak. It is by insulating ourselves from the problems
of the world by fixing our vision on the heavenly foretaste of our “rituals and
traditions” as it gives us a temporary relief, an escape from this reality. These (although we don’t undermine its importance and value) are giving us a seemingly clear
procedures or a step-by-step method to attain salvation. However, if left unguarded
may lead us to what the Gospel is telling is about hypocrisy. Jesus scolded the
Pharisees for clinging on human traditions and not on the commandments. This is
what James warns us all about, to keep ourselves untainted from the hypocrisy
of this world. Because it defiles and corrupts our sense of religion, charity
and justice.
Now my third point is this, the
pastoral letter, not just relevant to our readings but also providential for us here in the Archdiocese of
Zamboanga. The letter of the Good Bishop is commendable for it is deeply
rooted on concrete experiences that the faithful are facing in this “rough
ground of praxis”, here in the grassroots which is plagued not only by the
pandemic but as well by opportunism and hypocrisy of some. The letter is indeed
a reflection of a Bishop who sees the reality, listens on the Word through it
and Act with charity and justice as he exhorts the flock entrusted to him. This
is a document that is faithful to the first words of the Vatican II document on
the Church in the Modern World, “the joys and the hopes, the grief and the
anxieties of the men of this age especially those who are poor or in any way
afflicted these are the joys and hopes the griefs and anxieties of the
followers of Christ.”[1]
We hope and pray that this letter
will inspire us that there is something important than the things we can hold
and perceive. It is to go beyond on what we believe is important and valuable
and that is ton transcend and look for Jesus, the Word made Flesh. Through him,
with him and in him our hearts can only find consolation in this time of
pandemic.
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