Our first reading
this week is from Deuteronomy. The name comes from a compound word with the
prefix deutero which means second, and the suffix -nomy which
means a system of laws or rules, or a body of knowledge of a particular
subject. The full word in this context means the second pronouncement of
the Law¸ meaning God’s Commandments. The first appearance of the Ten Commandments
is in Exodus 20:3-17, and the second is in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. In this reading,
Moses is admonishing the Israelites, who like us, need continuing reminders to
live in accordance with these commandments. They and we are neither to add to
or subtract from them based on a human idea that this or that is no longer
valid. Of course, we know that Jesus distilled them in Matthew 22:37-39: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is
the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.’” If you think about the Ten and all they say ~ loving God with all
that is in you turns into loving the God within you and therefore loving yourself,
and then, the not stealing, killing, coveting, etc. ~ truly means loving your
neighbor given that we won’t steal, kill, or covet anything of a beloved neighbor.
So, nothing is added or subtracted, all we need to do is observe them
diligently.
The Psalmist asks God
who can live in the Tabernacle upon God’s holy hill? Those who lead a blameless
life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart. Again, we
are given all that we need to know to do what is right.
The writer of James
tells us that it is through God's generous act of giving that
we are brought to birth by the word of truth and are directed
to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger...we are
to be doers of the word, and not merely hearers [James 1:17a,
18a, 19, 22a]. But, as always, it is Jesus who, in quoting Isaiah,
speaks bluntly to the Pharisees who make human tradition and precepts into
idolatrous doctrine, as they abandon the commandments of God. He tells the rest
of us by way of addressing "the crowd" that it is from
within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come... [Mark 7:14]
This Gospel jolts me into awareness that my
commitment to God has become more shallow than I am willing to admit to myself
and I hearken back to Psalm 51, verses 2 and 10 in particular: Wash me
thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin...Create in me a clean
heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
In our own time and "religious
practice" when the "tradition" and ritual are the ends rather
than the means to holiness, when purpose and origin are unknown or forgotten,
when the music is more entertainment than worshipful, and the "why"
of it is no longer mindfully considered, we have lost the integrity and
intention of the worship of God especially in daily living. We have ceased to
be conscious, and have become merely hearers, not doers of God’s Word. We are
desensitized, sterilized, and removed from receiving and giving the deep,
abiding love of and for God, the God who gazes through the windows of our
souls.
We are to consciously seek to deepen our
relationship with God. James reminds us that our God-given purpose is
to act on behalf of those in distress, and to keep ourselves unstained
by the world. Committing ourselves again to God's commandments, let
us welcome with meekness the implanted word that will save our
souls as it goes straight to our hearts, wherein lies the voice of our Beloved.
In accepting and returning the lyrics of love from, to, in, and through God, we
gladly become the doers of God's Word, grace filled and soul-full. The Heart IS
the matter that, when undeceived by human forgetfulness, greed, and selfishness,
brings blessings, wisdom, and salvation to ourselves and to all we meet.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God, our God, stir our
hearts with urgent generosity to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slower
to anger. Awaken in us Your perfect gifts to live as doers of Your word and
truth, caring for all in distress, and remaining unstained by this world.
O Lord, Most Beloved
RESPONSE:
Cleanse
our hearts of evil intent
~
O God, our God, grant all who govern Your
people everywhere in this Earthly realm, purity of motive and principled
determination to stay free of hypocrisy and greed, while eager for justice and
mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, Most Beloved
Cleanse
our hearts of evil intent
~
O God, our God, release from pain those who
suffer through life-threatening illness, depression, or addiction, and
give strength to all who provide for their daily needs. We now join our
hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
O Lord, Most Beloved
Cleanse
our hearts of evil intent
~ O God, our God, soothe the wounds of those who grieve,
as our loved ones live again with heavenly rejoicing in the Tabernacle of Your
Holy Hill. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
O Lord, Most Beloved
Cleanse
our hearts of evil intent
~
O God, our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt
thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
O Lord, Most Beloved
Cleanse
our hearts of evil intent
~
O God, our God, quicken the spirits of all who
bring us Your Word and Sacraments, that together we may move from the idolatry
of mere human tradition, to the honoring of Your commandments with each thought
and action of our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, Most Beloved
Cleanse
our hearts of evil intent
The Celebrant adds: Holy and Righteous Lord, so draw our hearts, so guide our wills
that we always think, pray, speak, and act only through Your implanted Word
that holds the power to save our souls. We ask through the perfection of Jesus,
our Christ and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as
One God, now and forever. Amen.
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