Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

Jesus invites me to consider how I follow God in my heart and cautions me against being distracted by human traditions

 
Reading: He answered them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Mark 7:7

Good morning, Happy Tuesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s Gospel (Mark 7:1-13) reading, the Pharisees criticized Jesus and his disciples because they ate their meals with unclean hands.  It was a custom for all Jews to carefully wash their hands and thus purify themselves before eating.  They also had many other purification rituals.
 
The Jews asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not follow our tradition?  Why do they eat with unclean hands?”  Jesus answers their question by quoting a passage from the prophet, Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, however their hearts are far from me.”
 
Few things are as hurtful as to be called a hypocrite. Yet this was how Jesus addressed the Pharisees and scribes. The word comes originally from the Greek theatre: hypokrinein, to play a part. Life, however, is not theatre nor did hypocrisy come to an end with Pharisees and scribes!
Today is World Day of the Sick. We are all invited to think about, pray for and in certain circumstances give practical help to the sick. Giving help to the sick is an activity where there is little room for hypocrisy.
 
If Jesus stood before me I wonder if he would say those words to me?  It is easy to honor Jesus with our words.  However, Jesus hopes that we not only will honor him, but also love him and give ourselves to him.  For Jesus, empty rituals are not sufficient.  Jesus wants each and every one of us. He longs to have an intimate and loving relationship with each of us.
 
What is the relationship you wish to have with Jesus?  Is a superficial relationship with Jesus all you want or do you desire a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him?  Jesus wants all of us: mind, body, and soul!  Jesus is always waiting for us to take another step toward him.  He patiently and lovingly waits for us!  Today take one or more steps toward Jesus.  Jesus is waiting to embrace you!
 
Jesus invites me to consider how I follow God in my heart and cautions me against being distracted by human traditions. I review my habits and patterns of activity, asking God to help me to recognize where they lead me to life.
 
It is good to have clean hands, cups, and pots. But what really matters is my heart. Is my heart far from God? Do I give more time to keeping a clean house than a clean heart? Where are we called to let go of ways that are not conducive to our growth? Can our eyes see deeper than the popular definition of happiness? Perhaps we are called to share our love and improve our community through creative ways.
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+

Date news: 
Martes, Febrero 8, 2022 - 11:30

Ministerio en el tiempo del Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevenir, curar y acompañar

Ahora tenemos que darle forma a lo que algun@s han comenzado a llamar; La Iglesia en Casa. Aunque yo me sigo preguntando; ¿qué hacen quienes no tienen un hogar? Por esto a la misma vez, estoy declarando desde hoy en nuestra Iglesia Santa Cruz una jornada de cuaresma de oración, ayuno y leer la Biblia en el Tiempo del Coronavirus.

facebook youtube instagram mail zelle