This weekend in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus, by means of the prophesy of Isaiah, offers this sharp condemnation to the Pharisees and scribes: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me . . .” He notes that they follow all of the external precepts of the laws and the traditions; yet, interiorly they are only going through the motions. In other words, the teachings of the Law and the Prophets have not taken root in their hearts. They operate out of a desire to be seen preforming all the deeds and works of the faith; however, they are not living the faith. For us, it becomes increasingly easy to follow the precepts but it is altogether different to live them. Today, live your faith. Examine your minds and hearts to see if you have allowed the teachings of Christ, communicated through the Church and the Sacraments, to take root in your lives. To know the faith and to live the faith are two different things. It is extremely important to do both ~ know and live the faith today!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne