Daily Reflections - February 07, 2012

THE TRUE MEANING OF DIVINE WORSHIP

 

Continuing yesterday’s readings, we have this time a somewhat dichotomized situation between today’s First Reading and Gospel. While both have a thematic connection regarding the spirit of genuine worship of God, there is however a sharp contrast which we cannot help but notice.

Thanks to the evangelist Mark’s explanatory notes (since he originally wrote for the Romans, who were not familiar with Jewish practices, customs and traditions), we are able to enter into the context of the Gospel passage with ease. We readily feel the impact of — in fact, we should also easily identify with — Jesus’ denunciations of the Pharisees’ hypocritical attitudes.

Our Lord simply meant to bring back what was unfortunately lost, due to an overemphasis on human traditions and practices. Against the Pharisees’ prescriptions and prejudices against others, Jesus restored the true meaning of divine worship and adoration, with the spirit always prevailing over any legalistic custom or tradition.

Precisely, this genuine worship and adoration is what we have in King Solomon’s beautiful prayer on the formal dedication of the newly-built Temple of Jerusalem. The spirit behind it is sincerity and truth — a far cry from the duplicity of the Pharisees.

No, we need not junk altogether our religious practices. Should we follow liturgical rubrics, join processions, or pray the Holy Rosary, let’s be aware of the meaning and purpose behind our doing them. And of course, let us be authentic in carrying them out — lest we “nullify God’s Word.”

As King Solomon prayed over the Temple, “May your eyes watch night and day over... this place where you have decreed you shall be honored....” Let ours, too, be a prayer that our practices and rituals be honorable and pleasing to God.  Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What religious practices do you normally do? Have you thought of the purpose and meaning behind those norms?

 

Holy Spirit, move my heart and mind to be united to the angels and saints in heaven in giving glory and worship to our loving God.