First Reading

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy (4:1-2, 6-8)

Moses said to the people: "Now, Israel, hear the statues and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, "This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people." For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?"

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5)

(R) The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; we think the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. (R)

Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R)

Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Letter of Saint James (1:17-18, 21b-22, 27)

Dearest brothers and sisters: All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23)

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they are traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 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. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile."

"From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile."

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Deuteronomy in the Old Testament is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, known as Torah or the Law. It is broadly considered as the Revelation or the Law of God given to the Israelites through Moses during forty years of journeying towards the land that God had given to their ancestors. The Bible tells us that Moses never entered the land; he only viewed it from the top of a mountain before he died, Numbers (27:12-14). By that time, God had given the Ten Commandments and the laws, rules and regulations for personal conduct, community and religious matters, Exodus (19-24). After the death of Moses, his servant Joshua, led the people across the Jordan River and into the land, Deuteronomy (34:5-8) and Joshua (1:1-9). Today's passage, Deuteronomy (4:1-2, 6-8), is a part of the first of three great sermons or discourses that Moses gave to the Israelites shortly before they entered the land. At this juncture, Moses did not specify the Law but rather emphasized the importance of closely following or observing the Law he promulgated.

Moses pointed out the purpose of obeying the Law. He said that obedience to the Law would enable them to "live and enter and take possession of the land that God had promised to their ancestors", Deuteronomy (4:1). In other words, if the people would listen and follow the statutes and decrees that God had given them, they would prosper and live long in the land He was about to give them. In doing so, God would fulfil His promise to their patriarch Abraham, Genesis (12, 15-18), and later renewed with Moses at Mount Sinai, Exodus (19-24).
Moses exhorted them not to "add to nor subtract from" the Law, Deuteronomy (4:2). This exhortation did not necessarily mean that the Israelites could never make a new law but rather they were prohibited from changing the terms of their covenant with the Lord. In a way, it's another way of saying that they, as human beings, should not do what was right in their own eyes. Because if everyone did whatever was right in his or her own eyes, spiritual confusion and compromise would arise, and eventually everyone would fall into sin and disgrace. Hence, God wanted them to live only by His standards, not theirs. He wanted them to do what was right in His eyes, not what was right in their own eyes for His Law is "perfect, trustworthy, radiant, pure, right, and firm" as the Psalmist in (19:7-9) says.
Moses identified the higher purpose for their total submission and obedience to the Law of God. He said, "Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say: "This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people", Deuteronomy (4:6). In other words, he told the Israelites that if they would faithfully submit themselves to God, their covenant partner, they would not only enjoy fullness of life in the land but would also demonstrate the superiority of their wisdom and intelligence before the world. Describing the power of the Law of God or God's Word, the Bible tells us that it "refreshes the soul, makes the wise simple, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes", Psalm (19:7-9), "gives wisdom, understanding and knowledge", Proverbs (2:6-8). So, Moses urged the Israelites to observe God's precepts carefully so that they could obtain great wisdom, which would then serve as a reflection of their God Himself. In other words, it was only by keeping the law of God perfectly and consistently in thought, word, and deed that the Israelites could reflect God's wisdom and would represent Him well on earth. Their faithful observance of God's law would elevate their life to such a level that other people on earth who would hear about it would simply say that they were truly wise and intelligent.
Moses raised two rhetorical questions. His first question was: "For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?" At the time of Moses, the surrounding tribes worshipped idols and gods made of wood and metals or the sun, moon, and stars, created by God. Since these gods could neither see nor hear nor speak, the people could not build a personal relationship with them; the kind of relationship that the Israelites enjoyed with their God, Yahweh. Besides, Yahweh was always near them and close to their side. And unlike the powerless and worthless gods, Psalm (115:4-8), Yahweh remained available to them "whenever they called on Him". Therefore, Moses raised this question as a reminder to the Israelites that they were greater than the other nations.

Moses' second question was: "What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?" The statutes, decrees and laws which Yahweh had given to the Israelites were "pure, eternal, and just", Psalm (19:9), for He was righteous and upright, Deuteronomy (32:4), whereas other people had no such laws because their gods were not righteous. Therefore, Moses asked this question to emphasize to the Israelites their uniqueness among the people on earth, that is, they were called to be a "light" to others by living according to God's laws, and in doing so they would reveal God to the world.

What is the message for us?

When it comes to rules, laws, expectations, or even standards, many people feel anxious, nervous and fearful. Some people sense failure before they even start. Some fear that a law restricts their freedom to do things. Some others see a law as an imposition of a stronger will on a weaker person. Some others feel that a law demands perfection. Unfortunately, many people view God's law in much the same way as they perceive human law. Hence, some reject God's law completely, while others reject portions of it. Some others think that it is irrelevant today.

Contrary to human perception, the Bible characterizes God's law as holy, righteous, good, perfect and relevant. It is an expression of God's love, will and purposes. Because God is Eternal, All-Powerful, All-knowing, and All-wise, His law is unlike any other. The Bible also confirms that God as our creator knows everything about us, Psalm (139:16), including our need for His guidance in life. Therefore, He has met that need by giving us a manual with detailed instructions so that we may live rightly, act justly and walk humbly on the earth in preparation for an eternal life with Him in Heaven. So, it is not enough to know what those instructions are or to write them on our house doors, print or inscribe them on wood or metal or cloth and display them for others to see. We must also strive to live them out. When we gladly accept and submit ourselves to those laws or instructions, we too will enjoy the fullness of His blessings in our lives. We cannot rely on God's promises without obeying His commands, once said John Calvin, the 16th century theologian. Obedience to God's laws is the only key that unlocks His treasure of blessing in our lives.

As we commit to live out God's laws, let us also constantly teach and remind others, especially those who belong to the family of believers, about these laws. And when we do, let us not add to them nor subtract from them, either by consciously removing the parts we do not like or by quietly omitting and neglecting the parts we do not understand. Instead, let us teach all of God's commands because all are for our good and are meant to set us free. And let us do so with delight and assurance that through our obedience to God's commands, we will deepen our personal relationship with Him, experience His love more deeply, and become effective witnesses so that our wisdom will be more convincing and irresistible to those who are yet to accept God's law.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

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