Proper 19B (17 Pentecost 2018) Readings & Commentaries

Peter is stunned by Jesus declaration that he must die. It is not his vision of what “Messiah” means (and perhaps this is why Jesus does not want to go public with this revelation).

1^st Reading (Track 1):  Proverbs 1:20-33

With this reading, a new figure appears in the Hebrew Scriptures, that of Wisdom personified, who is female in gender. Here she appears in the public square, calling the “simple ones” to follow her way.  Much of her speech is a warning to those who would ignore or scorn her.

^1:20 Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. ²¹ At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:  ²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? ²³ Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. ²⁴ Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, ²⁵ and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, ²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, ²⁷ when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ²⁸ Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. ²⁹ Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, ³⁰ would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, ³¹ therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. ³² For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; ³³ but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Psalm 19 (Track 1)

Psalm 19 is a wisdom psalm in two parts. The first (1-6) praises the glory of God in creation. The second (7-14) is a hymn in praise of the law.  The juxtaposition of creation and law is deliberate:  both have been provided for the well-being of humankind.

1     The heavens declare the glory of God, *

              and the firmament shows his handiwork.

2     One day tells its tale to another, *

              and one night imparts knowledge to another.

3     Although they have no words or language, *

              and their voices are not heard,

4     Their sound has gone out into all lands, *

              and their message to the ends of the world.

5     In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *

              it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;

              it rejoices like a champion to run its course.

6     It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens

       and runs about to the end of it again; *

              nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

7     The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; *

              the testimony of the Lord is sure

                                          and gives wisdom to the innocents.

8     The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart: *

              the commandment of the Lord is clear

                                          and gives light to the eyes.

9     The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; *

              the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10   More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, *

              sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.

11   By them also is your servant enlightened, *

              and in keeping them there is great reward.

12   Who can tell how often he offends? *

              Cleanse me from my secret faults.

13   Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;

       let them not get dominion over me; *

              then shall I be whole and sound,

              and innocent of a great offense.

14   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my

                                          heart be acceptable in your sight, *

              O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Or this

Canticle (Track 1): A Song in Praise of Wisdom (Wisdom 7:26—8:1)

The Book of Wisdom is a book of the Apocrypha, a collection of ancient books related to the Hebrew Scriptures that we do not consider Scripture, but as edifying in reading.  It features the figure of Wisdom, which is discussed above.

Wisdom is a reflection of eternal light, *

       a flawless mirror of God’s activity,

       an image of divine goodness.

Though Wisdom is only one, *

       she can accomplish everything;

remaining self-contained, *

       she transforms all around her.

In every generation *

       Wisdom enlightens holy souls,

making them friends of God, *

       making them prophets.

For God loves nothing so much *

       as the person who lives with Wisdom.

She is more radiant than the sun, *

       and outshines every constellation.

She excels daylight by far, for day is eclipsed by night; *

       but evil does not overshadow Wisdom.

She spans the earth from pole to pole *

       and orders all things well.

1^st Reading (Track 2):  Isaiah 50:4-9a

This short passage is often called the Third Servant Song (the first is 42:1-4, the second 49:1-6, and the fourth 52:13—53:12).  These songs tell of a Servant who originally may have been the nation of Israel as it re-establishes itself after the return from Exile.  Christians have often heard the story of Jesus in them and treat them as prophecy.  In this song, the Servant brings good news to the weary, but is treated with disrespect and violence.  The Servant’s trust in God, however, will not falter.

^50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. ⁵ The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. ⁶ I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. ⁷ The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; ⁸ he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. ^9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Psalm 116:1-8 (Track 2)

Psalm 116 is a thanksgiving for healing, begun (v. 3) with the strongest of emotions, speaking directly to God, demanding to be heard.

1     I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of

                                          my supplication, *

              because he has inclined his ear to me whenever

                                          I called upon him.

2     The cords of death entangled me;

       the grip of the grave took hold of me; *

              I came to grief and sorrow.

3     Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *

              “O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”

4     Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *

              our God is full of compassion.

5     The Lord watches over the innocent; *

              I was brought very low, and he helped me.

6     Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *

              for the Lord has treated you well.

7     For you have rescued my life from death, *

              my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.

8     I will walk in the presence of the Lord *

              in the land of the living.

2^nd Reading:  James 3:1-12

James is the only book of the New Testament that could be called “wisdom literature.”  Much of it reads like the Book of Proverbs.  Here is an extended warning about the use of the tongue.  The transition from verse 1 through verse 3 is a bit rough.  3:1 can stand on its own. Verse 2 may be an admission that verse 1 is idealistic.  But the primary purpose of the passage is to warn those who would live together in community of the dangers of the tongue.

^3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴ Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 8:27-38

In chapter 6 of Mark we heard of people who came into contact with Jesus speculating about his identity (6:14-15).  Now Jesus asks the direct question to his disciples.  Mark’s version of this story is more spare than Matthew’s.  Peter responds with a single word, “Messiah.”  Jesus does not commend him for this response, but continues to insist the disciples not tell others about him, as he has told them previously in Mark.  Peter is stunned by Jesus declaration that he must die. It is not his vision of what “Messiah” means (and perhaps this is why Jesus does not want to go public with this revelation).

^8:27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ²⁸ And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹ He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” ³⁰ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. ³¹ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” ³⁴ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. ³⁶ For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ³⁷ Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ³⁸ Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

The Scripture readings (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.  The Psalm translation is from The Book of Common Prayer.  The canticle translation is copyright © 2007, Church Publishing Incorporated. Commentaries are copyright © 2018 Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. www.EpiphanyEsources.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to copy for group study use with this attribution. Bulletin inserts with these readings and commentaries are available by subscription.

Proper 18B (16 Pentecost 2018) Readings & Commentaries

Our passage today contains two stories, one of which happens in “unclean” territory, i.e., inhabited by Gentiles.  The first story is unique in that Jesus appears to expand his view of his mission, and, by extension, that of the God of Israel.

The 16^th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18B)

1^st Reading (Track 1):  Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

The Book of Proverbs is ascribed to King Solomon, but no doubt contains material from many ages up through the Exile.  It is a collection of wise sayings, witticisms, and poetic instructions on living well and justly.  Our passage today instructs on the maintenance of a good reputation, exercising the virtue of generosity and just behavior.  Verse 2 should not be taken to mean that God makes some people rich and others poor.  Rather, it extols all people, whatever their station in life, as children of God.

^22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. ² The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. ⁸ Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. ⁹ Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. ²² Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; ²³ for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.

Psalm 125 (Track 1)

Psalm 125 is one of the “songs of ascent” (Psalms 120-134) which were most likely the songs of pilgrims to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the major festivals.  Psalm 125 begins as a song of confidence and trust and ends with a prayer that the wicked will receive their due.  “Peace be upon Israel” at the psalm’s end may once have been a refrain for these pilgrim songs.

1     Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, *

              which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.

2     The hills stand about Jerusalem; *

              so does the Lord stand round about his people,

              from this time forth for evermore.

3     The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the

                                          land allotted to the just, *

              so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.

4     Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good *

              and to those who are true of heart.

5     As to those who turn aside to crooked ways,

       the Lord will lead them away with the evildoers; *

              but peace be upon Israel.

1^st Reading (Track 2):  Isaiah 35:4-7a

Our first reading is a vision of a restored Jerusalem/Israel. The opening verses of the chapter (not included today) describe the transformation of the desert, which continues in verse 6.  The healing of the blind, deaf, lame, and mute pair this passage with today’s Gospel reading.

^35:4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” ⁵ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; ⁶ then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; ^7a the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.

Psalm 146 (Track 2)

The last five psalms are often referred to as the “Hallel” or “Hallelujah” psalms.  “Hallelujah” is a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord.” (“Alleluia” is the latinized version of the word). They are hymns of praise.  Psalm 146 is a hymn of the trustworthiness of God, even for the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, among the most vulnerable in Israel’s patriarchal society.

1     Hallelujah!

       Praise the Lord, O my soul! *

              I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

              I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

2     Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *

              for there is no help in them.

3     When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, *

              and in that day their thoughts perish.

4     Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *

              whose help is in the Lord their God;

5     Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *

              who keeps his promise for ever.

6     Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *

              and food to those who hunger.

7     The Lord sets the prisoners free;

       the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *

              the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

8     The Lord loves the righteous;

       the Lord cares for the stranger; *

              he sustains the orphan and widow,

              but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9     The Lord shall reign for ever, *

              your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.

              Hallelujah!

2^nd Reading:  James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17

Two major themes of James are present in this passage:  The first is not to show favoritism, which violates the “royal law” of love of neighbor.  The second is that faith without action that flows from it, is worth nothing.

^2:1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? ² For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, ³ and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” ⁴ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? ⁷ Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? ⁸ You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ⁹ But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

[¹¹ For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹² So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³ For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.]

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? ¹⁷ So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:24-37

Chapter seven of Mark, as a whole, contains several incidents in which Jesus re-defines right relationship with those labelled “unclean” under Jewish law.  Our passage today contains two stories, one of which happens in “unclean” territory, i.e., inhabited by Gentiles.  The first story is unique in that Jesus appears to expand his view of his mission, and, by extension, that of the God of Israel.  The exchange is shocking, but the woman becomes an example of persistent faith.  In the second story Jesus heals a deaf-mute, and the Aramaic word he uses is preserved, which literally means, “be released.”  Jesus’ desire to operate “under the radar” is becoming increasingly impossible as his acts of healing become known.

^7:24 Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, ²⁵ but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. ²⁶ Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷ He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁸ But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” ²⁹ Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” ³⁰ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. ³¹ Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. ³² They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. ³³ He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. ³⁴ Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ³⁵ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

The Scripture readings (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.  The Collect of the Day and the Psalm translation are from The Book of Common Prayer.  Commentaries are copyright © 2018 Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. www.EpiphanyEsources.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to copy for group study.  For lectionary bulletin inserts using these readings and commentaries, go to our website.

Proper 17B (15 Pentecost 2018) Readings & Commentaries

After several weeks of John’s Gospel, we return to Mark for the rest of this church year.  In our reading today, the Pharisees confront Jesus because his disciples are not observing tradition concerning cleansing before eating. 

1^st Reading (Track 1):  Song of Solomon 2:8-13

The Song of Solomon (also known as the Song of Songs) is a collection of love poems.  They are unique in the Bible because of their expression of human sexual desire.  They may have been included in the Hebrew Scriptures to emphasize the importance of the values of mutual love and fidelity.  Christian interpretation has used them as an allegory of the loving relationship between Christ and his people.  If nothing else, more commentaries have been written throughout the ages on this book than on any other.

^2:8 The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. ⁹ My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. ¹⁰ My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; ¹¹ for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. ¹² The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. ¹³ The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10 (Track 1)

Psalm 45 is, in essence, a love song, probably written to be sung at a royal wedding.  The writer is a court poet, addressing the king and his court in luxurious and flattering language.

1     My heart is stirring with a noble song;

       let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; *

              my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.

2     You are the fairest of men; *

              grace flows from your lips,

              because God has blessed you for ever.

7     Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, *

              a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom;

              you love righteousness and hate iniquity.

8     Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *

              with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

9     All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, *

              and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.

10   King’s daughters stand among the ladies of the court; *

              on your right hand is the queen,

              adorned with the gold of Ophir.

1^st Reading (Track 2):  Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Deuteronomy is the account of the last words of Moses and consists in several long speeches given by him to the people.  The first ends in chapter 4. The first speech is an admonition to obey the law as a whole.  He has reminded the people of the past, of God’s saving actions and their constant rebellion.  At the end of the speech here he turns toward the future, promising that their obedience will be rewarded with possession of the land they have been promised.  But they must remember and tell.

^4:1 So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. ² You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. ⁶ You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” ⁷ For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? ⁸ And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? ⁹ But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.

Psalm 15 (Track 2)

Psalm 15 was probably used as an entrance liturgy by pilgrims into the Temple.  It is essentially a list of requirements for worshippers.  There are ten requirements listed in verses two through six.

1     Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *

              Who may abide upon your holy hill?

2     Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *

              who speaks the truth from his heart.

3     There is no guile upon his tongue;

       he does no evil to his friend; *

              he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.

4     In his sight the wicked is rejected, *

              but he honors those who fear the Lord.

5     He has sworn to do no wrong, *

              and does not take back his word.

6     He does not give his money in hope of gain, *

              nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

7     Whoever does these things *

              shall never be overthrown.

2^nd Reading:  James 1:17-27

We will spend the next five weeks reading the Letter of James (traditionally attributed to the brother of Jesus).  The letter is written out of the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel.  Jesus is mentioned only twice in the letter, although it is obvious that it is written to an organized Christian community.  One of the great themes of James is the right relationship between rich and poor, primarily the obligation the former has to the latter.  A related theme is the necessity of faith acted out.  Both themes are present in this passage.

^1:17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸ In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. ¹⁹ You must understand this, my beloved:  let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰ for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. ²¹ Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. ²² But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ²³ For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; ²⁴ for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. ²⁵ But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. ²⁶ If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:  to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

After several weeks of John’s Gospel, we return to Mark for the rest of this church year.  In our reading today, the Pharisees confront Jesus because his disciples are not observing tradition concerning cleansing before eating.  It’s important to understand that what is going on here has nothing to do with hygiene.  Ritual purity was an essential characteristic of the Judaism practiced by the Pharisees.  Jesus critiques this brand of religion, saying that it too often misses the heart of the matter.  What should be central is the condition of one’s heart and its orientation to the world.  The quote in verses 6-7 is from Isaiah is 29:13, as it was translated into Greek.

^7:1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, ² they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. ³ (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; ⁴ and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) ⁵ So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” ⁶ He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; ⁷ in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ ⁸ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” ¹⁴ The he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand:  ¹⁵ there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. ²¹ For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come:  fornication, theft, murder, ²² adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. ²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

The Scripture readings (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.  The Psalm translation is from The Book of Common Prayer.  Commentaries are copyright © 2018 Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. www.EpiphanyEsources.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to copy for group study.  Bulletin inserts are available by subscription.