The popular EWTN show is now a podcast! Each month, tune in to listen to some of the world’s top Catholic scholars, thinkers, and leaders hosted by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, and panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn.
Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dcn. Bob Rice see hope and humor in a crazy world! Sports, family life, theology, and superheroes are recurring topics in their weekly conversations. Join Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob as they see reasons for hope all around us.
In celebration of the 75th Jubilee of the University, alumni throughout the 75 years will share their candid stories of life on campus and the impact of the university on their life. Join us every 2 weeks as we hear legends from the hill.
Give to the Annual Fund
Provide students with the assistance they need to attend Franciscan and pursue their vocations.
Give Now
Support the Capital Campaign
Help Franciscan rebuild the Church, enhance our academics, and change the world.
Join Us
Explore Our Other Opportunities
Discover more ways to partner with us to educate, to evangelize, and to send forth joyful disciples.
See More
Presents
Podcasts
Magazine
Donate
Franciscan University
Pure Religion: Reflections on the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Guest:
Today’s Gospel casts Jes
us in a prophetic light, as one having authority to interpret God’s law.
Jesus’ quotation from Isaiah today is ironic (see Isaiah 29:13). In observing the law, the Pharisees honor God by ensuring that nothing unclean passes their lips. In this, however, they’ve turned the law inside out, making it a matter of simply performing certain external actions.
The gift of the law, which we hear God giving to Israel in today’s First Reading, is fulfilled in Jesus’ gospel, which shows us the law’s true meaning and purpose (see Matthew 5:17).
The law, fulfilled in the gospel, is meant to form our hearts, to make us pure, able to live in the Lord’s presence. The law was given that we might live and enter into the inheritance promised to us—the kingdom of God, eternal life.
| Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8 Psalm 15:2-5 James 1:17-18,21-22,27 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 |
Israel, by its observance of the law, was meant to be an example to surrounding nations. As James tells us in today’s Epistle, the gospel was given to us that we might have new birth by the Word of truth. By living the Word we’ve received, we’re to be examples of God’s wisdom to those around us, the “first fruits” of a new humanity.
This means we must be “doers” of the Word, not merely hearers of it. As we sing in today’s Psalm and hear again in today’s Epistle, we must work for justice, taking care of our brothers and sisters, and living by the truth God has placed in our hearts.
The Word given to us is a perfect gift. We should not add to it through vain and needless devotions. Nor should we subtract from it by picking and choosing which of His laws to honor.
“Hear me,” Jesus says in today’s Gospel. Today, we’re called to examine our relationship to God’s law.
Is the practice of our religion a pure listening to Jesus, a humble welcoming of the Word planted in us and able to save our souls? Or are we only paying lip-service?
Originally posted: Salvation History.
