February 9, Tuesday Weekday

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!-- Psalm 84:2

Mass readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23,27-30 / Mark 7:1-13

Tradition without Meaning

Did you ever hear the story about the family that had the Thanksgiving tradition of cutting off the turkey's legs and baking them in a separate pan? It turned out it had begun years ago because -- way back when -- the household didn't have a roaster big enough to hold a whole bird.

That's what happened with the Pharisees and scribes. There was action without meaning. A routine became tradition without heart. Worst of all, these ''traditions'' led to hypocrisy and pride. Through generations, the elders lost their way and became bogged down with rituals that became obsessions. (As one with obsessive compulsion disorder, I know how easy it is for rituals to become all-controlling) The faith of Abraham had taken a wrong turn and Jesus was there to correct it.

Prayer: Lord, help me take the proper road when rituals become a power unto themselves.