WelCom September 2018:
The Gospel of MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Te Rongo Pai nā Maaka 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round him, 2 and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, keep the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; 4 and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them to keep, concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. 5 So the Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ 6 He answered, ‘How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites in the passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. 7 Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments. 8 You put aside the commandment of God to observe human traditions.’ 14 He called the people to him again and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. 15 Nothing that goes into someone from outside can make that person unclean; it is the things that come out of someone that make that person unclean. 21 For it is from within, from the heart, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.’
A Gospel Reflection – He Whakaaroaro Rongo Pai
Nā Rīkona Danny Karatea-Goddard
In Jesus’ time he was always getting himself into trouble with the Pharisees, but for a purpose, a kaupapa!
As a Jew Jesus respected the many religious laws of the time but he took issue and challenged the attitudes of those who kept the law for show and not for sincerity of heart.
Our taha wairua spiritual life includes many visible postures, gestures and actions.
When these things come from the heart, they are a true expression that leads you and I to serve others. Through the Lord, we become vehicles of grace.
In this time of ever increasing social, economic, cultural and spiritual challenges my prayer would be that the Church is seen as a sign of integrity and justice to the world.
That those who hold power at a local and national level enact laws that are just for all peoples.
And that we, the faithful and ministers, in our parish communities, our schools and marae are models of sincerity and compassion.
It is through these acts of service we will bring healing and comfort to others. Especially the poor, the lonely of heart, the sick and imprisoned and those who have been suffered abuse and those who continue to suffer.
I te wā o Hēhu ka nui tōna raruraru me tōna tukituki ki te hunga Parihi, hēoi anō he kaupapa tōna!
He Hūrae a Hēhu nā reira i whakamana ia i ngā ture whakapono i tōna wā, engari i werohia e ia aua tāngata pūmau ki ngā ture nā runga i tā rātou mahi whakamanamana noa i rātou anō, kaua mō te kaupapa o te ngākau pono.
Nā te āhua o tā tātou tū, tā tātou noho me ā tātou mahi ka kitea te taha wairua. Mēnā ka puta mai ā tātou mahi i te ngākau pai, ka arahina tāua e te wairua pai ki te manaaki tangata. Nā reira, mā te Ariki ka tohua tātou hei waka kawe i te māhaki.
I tēnei wā e tupu ai ngā wero ā hapori, ā pūtea, ā ahurea, ā wairua ka pēnei taku īnoi, arā kia kitea te Hāhi hei tohu o te tika me te pono ki te ao.
Kia whakaritea e te hunga mananui ā hapori, ā whenua hoki ngā mōmō ture e tika ana, kia noho taurite ngā iwi katoa.
He tauira tātou te hunga whakapono tahi me ngā minita o te ngākau pono me te aroha i ō tātou pārihi, hapori, kura, marae anō hoki.
Mā roto mai i ēnei mahi atawhai hohou rongo ka piki te ora ki te tangata. Matua rā ki a rātou te hunga pōhara, te hunga mokemoke, te hunga māuiui, te hunga mauhere, te hunga kua tūkinotia ā ko te hunga ka tūkinohia tonutia.