It seems unlikely that the Pharisees came from Jerusalem just to address the issue of ceremonial washing; but then again, uptight Jews are pretty unpredictable. The conflict is really about the rituals’ place in religious life. What role do the rituals of faith play in our everyday lives? It is entirely possible for our rituals of faith which began as an honest expression of faith can become as important as our faith and finally eclipse our faith altogether. To make the sign of the cross isn't a bad thing. But if the ACT becomes as important as the cross itself and then if in a superstitious way we imagine the ritual has power itself, we have made a grave error. We do not have the man made precept “Corban” in our lives today, but we can easily elevate our human intentions to the level that we think they are primary. The problem is we don't realize we have done so. We grow up with something and we assume that it is true and right and Biblical. It never occurs to us that what we do is only a man-made tradition. That is why keeping check on our heart is so important. The passage is less about traditions and ceremonial washings and dietary laws than it is about a heart check. If the heart is right, we will honor God with our actions and even our rituals. If our heart is not right, all the rituals in the world will not change it. If our heart is right, we cannot help but live out that faith which may sometimes include rituals of that faith. If it is not right then the ritual it is only a façade.
Lord, please help me to never allow rituals to replace a heart committed to You. AMEN"
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