Tuesday of the
Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)
A priest sometimes greeted parishioners coming to mass
with a coffee cup in his hand. When the
people asked him about fasting for one hour before Communion, the priest became
defensive. He said that the fast was man’s
law, not God’s, and that humans may suspend it.
Is this what Jesus is telling the Pharisees in today’s gospel?
The Pharisees followed the tradition of the elders which
served a legitimate purpose. Dietary customs
were followed so that the sacred law would never be violated. Jesus is not directing himself to the customs
but to the cynicism of the Pharisees.
They criticize a divergence from custom on part of Jesus’ disciples (not
Jesus himself) while failing to keep a commandment. It is like someone forgetting to say “thank
you” being condemned by another who embezzles thousands.
So what should we conclude about that priest? The Church imposes the fast before Holy
Communion to promote conscientious reception of the sacrament. It may be dispensed in an urgent
situation. However, the Church’s
authority to instruct what is proper should be regularly heeded.
