Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 125
Sunday Says
Reading 1
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
In the first reading from Deuteronomy, we hear a distinct joy and pride that the Lord has chosen the Hebrews to receive the word of God in His law. He expresses the centrality of obedience to the law to their identity as the people of God. They see their nationality as Hebrews as more than just a culture, but a true blessing to be chosen.
This is a good reflection on how we can see our identity as His chosen people today. It’s no accident.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
- (1a) One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Reading 2
James 1:17-18, 21B-22, 27
We shift to the letter of St James after almost two months in Ephesians for the second reading. We will be in this epistle for a few weeks now too. No time is wasted, and a few lines in, he quickly dispels any misunderstanding of who God is and what He does. God is truly and ultimately good, and He only gives us what is good.
His offering of love and goodness requires a response, and we must act in union with that love. Faithfulness to Him comes through our whole life.
Alleluia – James 1:18
- Alleluia, alleluia.
The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Gospel
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
The 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B’s Gospel is reflection on how we live out the law of God. The Pharisees call out Jesus and the disciples for not following the law with exact precision. They don’t see how it is possible to claim to follow God and not be as good at following the rules as they are.8
Jesus boldly reminds them that faithfulness and obedience is deeper than checking a list. Rituals and human tradition can be useful, but they are not the goal in themselves. We have to be completely accountable for all comes out of us, because it is an expression of what is in the depths of our hearts, and that is where our unfaithfulness can come from.
God is good, and He empowers us to live out a food and faithful life, we just have to respond to it.
Gospel Meditation from Bishop Vasquez
Reflection question
St. Mark acknowledges signs when we may not be fully turned toward God: “evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, hatred, deceit, wastefulness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, foolishness.” When do my actions reveal that I am not turned entirely toward God?
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