Our Venerable Father Thomas of Maleum; and Acacius mentioned in The Ladder of Divine Ascent of Saint John Climacus
1 Corinthians 7:12-24; Matthew 14:35-15:11
Read Matthew 14:35-15:11
Did you know that the ritual washing of hands before a meal for Jewish laypeople was not a requirement of the Law? There is in the Law a mandate that those priests serving in the sanctuary must wash their hands beforehand (see Exodus 30:17-21). It was by way of extension and pious imitation that the Pharisees made this a requirement for all Israelites. While this all seems good, the Pharisees also knew how to manipulate their own requirements so that the Law may not be fulfilled. Our Lord points this out to them today’s gospel selection.
Perhaps we, too, try to manipulate that which the Lord and His Bride, the Church, asks of us. Sometimes we can very concerned about who does and who doesn’t go to Church on Sundays and/or feast days, or we can be very concerned about catching a fellow member of parish eating meat on a Friday at a restaurant. We may even pass judgement upon them in our words or at least in the words formed in our minds.
Compassion, care, and mercy – these ought to be our concern. Certainly, each of us can see ourselves in our fellow members of the Body of Christ! Certainly, each of us can say to ourselves: “I have done the same” or “I know myself – I could do the same.”
Lord, heal my heart that I can be more and more like You! Teach me to lift and encourage whomever I find before me each day!