In today’s readings (1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30; Mk 7:1-13), we are faced with two traditions that present varied patterns of ways of living out the faith. In the first reading, Solomon presents us with ardent faith that is concretized in a life of prayer backed up by humility. The gestures of Solomon expose much of genuine, simple, and humble faith. He gathers the community before the altar of God which he built for the worship of God. And as a place where the Israelites could invoke God and present him their supplications.
Thus, God is at the center of the community which signifies togetherness, solidarity, and friendship. Solomon invoked God in humility imploring his presence in the temple. Solomon’s prayer further discloses humility and simplicity. He acknowledged God’s mightiness against all human devices.
He said to God: “If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built!” Hence, Solomon acknowledges the greatness of God beyond all human formulations. He went on ahead to present a humble petition to God; that he may accept the dwelling place built for him and grant the prayers of his people.
Sacramentality
More than Solomon’s humility, this reading guides us to the idea of sacramentality in the Christian faith. This is the belief that God or divine blessings could be mediated in places, through people or rituals. The idea of sacramentality is one of the things that makes the Christian faith unique.
It is rooted in the notion of God who is near to the people that he allows created things or human categories to mediate his presence. All these point to the character of faith that is simple, devoid of obscurantism and uncomplicated. It reminds us of Jesus’ comparison of the kingdom of God with little children.
On the other hand, there can be the risky tendency to replace God with the rituals that serve sacramental purposes of his mediation. This can happen in different ways. The traditions that Scribes and Pharisees exhibit in the Gospel are examples of such misplacements.
Pharisees and Scribes
The whole picture of the simple character of faith and its practices is contrasted by the tradition we encounter in the Gospel. The Pharisees and the scribes would criticize the simple character of faith and prefer a complicated version. They would want all the rituals to be observed; rituals that neither communicate faith nor communion.
For instance, washing of hands before eating. If not for the purposes of hygiene, which is not the case in this situation, adds nothing to one’s faith, one’s relationship with God or the communion of the faithful. One might wonder what purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds has to do with the praise of God or the wellbeing of human beings.
Jesus’ rebuke captures it all: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”
Approaches
The question I ask is: What could be the reason for these different approaches to faith? We observe these two traditions even in our present-day Christianity.
For instance, we can observe two different priests that minister in a parish; one might prefer to celebrate God’s love and mercy and kindness while the other may prefer to instill fear and condemnation in people. It is equally observable in several other approaches to life such as in civil and religious leaders, families, religious communities, etc. It boils down to having the wisdom which enables us to discern what is right attitude to faith and to keep our minds set on the higher things; to focus on the positive side of every circumstance.
God is revealed as a liberator, a merciful, loving and just God. The God revealed in Jesus Christ presents us with the example of positive and sacramental faith.
