Holy First-Martyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thekla
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Galatians 5:11-21; Mark 7:5-16
If we were to narrow down the Pharisees’ actions to one simple and modern phrase, it would be “going through the motions.” Like my 4-year-old daughter, who often washes her hands by just turning the tap on and splashing water on them, the actions of the Pharisees are not directed towards pleasing God but rather the empty fulfilment of custom or convention. While meant to be an action that was part of a holistic growth in communion with God, it had become in many ways nothing more than mere spectacle.
Our Liturgical tradition is very rich, with many ritual actions and prayers that may appear silly or unnecessary. And they are silly and unnecessary when they are divorced from the desire for and movement towards communion with God.
If your worship and prayer life has fallen into a “going through the motions,” allow today to be the first day of a renewed life with God. Go to confession; receive the Eucharist, and work on aligning your physical actions of prayer with your spiritual life of communion with God.