Jesus has no tolerance for lip service. Pure hands are nothing compared with pure hearts in his eyes.

One of the temptations of false religion is to think that obeying the rules doesn’t matter, all that matters is how we feel about God. Another temptation is to think that obeying the rules is all that matters and how we feel about God is of no importance.

Here’s a dichotomy of readings that invites us to think: Moses presents to the people a law that ostensibly contains the mind of God. Not a thing must be added or subtracted from it. Jesus disparages the legal experts for clinging to the law, down to the last details.

Ignorance of the law does not mean we are free from keeping it. It is our responsibility to know what the laws are. Ignorance is no defense. Maybe that’s why there are so many lawyers.

As the CEO of a major publishing house, he was a big fish  in a big pond. His main publication was a world-renowned reference set. He had made it to the top by schmoozing and playing it safe. His main goal was to enjoy his privilege and keep the stockholders happy.

When I was a young teenager my friends and I formed the Eddie Haskell Fan Club. Eddie was the smarmy kid on the Leave It to Beaver television show who acted sweet and nice in front of parents and other adults but was selfish with his peers and mean toward kids younger than him.

We turn to God who is close to us and call upon God in prayer.

The Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. Mark inserts this story of conflict after a succession of several miracles to say that following Christ will not be only about miraculous healings; it will also involve opposition.

As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.