Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 1:20-2:4a; Mark 7:1-13)
Casuistry manipulates the law so that it results in one’s
favor. Casuists might say that if someone
person comes to your home asking to speak with a family member, you may lie
about whether that relative is home. The
casuistic principle is that the inquirer has no right to know who’s at home.
But Christian morals say that a lie, which is the telling of an untruth to
deceive another, is always wrong. Christians
should tell the truth.
In today’s gospel Jesus chastises the Pharisees for what
amounts to casuistry. As he says, they
attempt to free themselves of legal obligations to parents by calling their
resources “dedicated to God.” He also indicates
that they use casuistry frequently and calls it “hypocrisy.”
Never telling a lie will be difficult at times. Sensitive people may be hurt by the truth. In many instances we may opt to keep silent. At other times we can tell the truth in a way
that seeks to avoid giving offense. In any
case, we want to reflect Jesus who is the truth.
