Mark 7:1-13

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, “If someone says to father or mother, ‘Any support you might have had from me is qorban’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

Reflection
Sometimes our traditions hinder us from seeing things clearly and from obeying the Law of God. In addition, we fail to see things from another perspective making us quick to judge just because we do not realize that others also have another way of living their lives, thus us and their own culture. Our cultures and traditions should not be an issue for strife between communities, rather these should be used to manifest love for our own and others. With this, how might we evaluate or better our traditions through God’s word?

Lasallian Guiding Principle
LGP states that, “Every individual needs to be constantly exposed to or immersed in the pressing social problems to which we subsequently aim to contribute resolution.” We are blessed to have known better and have better access to knowledge that is why change must start with us. Be it as students or individuals who are not quick to judge and open to learn more about others as they do with us. We must embody acceptance and faith in others that whatever they do, whatever they may practice, they must be doing it out of love and for others to accept them as well.

Prayer
Father we pray for humility and acceptance. Sometimes our eyes and hearts are not able to see beyond what we observe and for that we ask for your kind forgiveness. Give us strength to be open to things we are not accustomed to and practice love in everything that we do just how you do with us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.
Prayer for the Tercentenary of the Founder’s passing to Eternal Life (adapted)
God, our Father and Mother, You love us with endless mercy. You call us to be your sons and daughters. Give us a generous heart. A heart of flesh that “burns within us.” A heart always willing to love. A compassionate heart for those who suffer. A heart where there is a place for all Lasallians around the world. Lord Jesus, You call us to follow you. Give us the courage to live our commitment. Teach us to go beyond our borders. Teach us to discover you in the lowliest. Teach us to look with the eyes of faith. Teach us to share our mission with all Lasallians of the whole world. Holy Spirit, You call us to live with joy. Fill us with your grace to live the values of the Gospel. Fill us with your grace to be active members in your Church. Fill us with your grace so that we may be credible witnesses, together with the entire Lasallian Family, in the midst of our world. Together and by association, we wish to renew our Lasallian commitment, and, in an attitude of thanksgiving, celebrate these 300 years of life. We ask this through Mary’s intercession, Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools. And through the intercession of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Universal Patron of Christian Educators. Amen.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value: Communion in Mission (Nurturing Mission)
Culture Theme: We collaborate with a society of communities.
Productivity Theme: Good Citizenship
Week 2: Each one of us is an active partner in the Mission.

Sources:
Sacred Space (n.d.). Mark 7:1-13. Retrieved January 21, 2019 from
https://www.sacredspace.ie/scripture/mark-71-13

prepared: Joleigh E. Delos Reyes, DLSMHSI, BCH1-1

Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.