September 2, 2012 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dt 4:1-2, 6-8; Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5; Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
In today’s scripture readings, we reflect on how living as Christian disciples is not about just giving of ourselves – our time, our talents, and our treasure – so that we meet some obligation, or so that others see what we do and are pleased.
If that is our intention, then we are like the scribes and the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, whom Jesus calls hypocrites. We are called to give ourselves solely out of love – love of God and love of neighbor, recognizing that God is the great gift giver, and we are grateful to Him.
Life as a Christian steward must be lived with an attitude of gratitude. Everything we do must be done because we love the Lord.
