047 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

Cycle B 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homily Theme

Tradition or tradition?

The word ‘tradition’ comes from a Latin word, meaning to hand down. There are things that are handed down from generation to generation that are teachings that consist of truths that are to be believed.. These are Traditions with a capital T. There are also traditions with a small t, these are handed down from generation to generation but are not truths that must be believed. These are merely customs. Every family has such traditions, things handed down from generation to generation. So did the family of the Jews and so does the Christian family, the Church. Make sure you know the difference between the Traditions that are essential to our Faith and those traditions that are merely nice customs. The latter can be changed or be dropped in time. Women are no longer required to cover the heads in Church as they did before Vatican II. Communion may be received standing or kneeling now, on the tongue or on the hand.

The Church teaches with authority by the Word and by Tradition when she proclaims essential truths for our salvation and sanctification. The Church also has traditions that may be observed in different countries or dioceses. One is essential the other is optional. Whether to kneel or stand during parts of the Liturgy can be a local tradition. That Jesus is truly present during the Mass is a truth handed down to us by the Word and Tradition. Both must be accepted.

This week, Moses tells the people to observe all the Traditions with a capital T handed on to them from their Fathers. They must obey and keep the Commandments of God. They are to keep the faith in the one true God and not worship alien Gods. During the course of Jewish history many traditions were added. It is about these traditions that Jesus speaks in the Gospel. Let us take seriously the words of Jesus this Sunday. We, like the Jews before for us, can be more involved in externals of religious customs and forget the essentials of living our faith. The worldly only see the externals of religious practice, but Jesus looks and what is within each one of us. We, too, are able to disregard God’s Commandments as we cling to our human traditions. Human traditions cannot save us. We must take seriously the Words of scripture this Sunday and let them become alive within each one of us as we live them out in our daily living. The world sees what is external but God sees what is within.

Keeping The Lords Day Holy by attending Holy Mass is a Tradition with a Capital T.