Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B

Reflecting on Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Oh, boy. Leave it to the letter of James to hit you straight in the heart. I’ve decided that my generation is the Education Generation. We came of age at Vatican Council 11. The Catholic Biblical School was bursting with adult students, eager to spend hours a week at the feet of their teachers, and then in study before the next class. Everywhere you turned, there were fascinating classes to take. There still are, and I’m signed up for every one of them.

Even though I’m now a mini-expert on racial equity, migration issues, eco-spirituality, and all the other human rights under the Respect Life banner, I confess to you that I am more successful at learning about Catholic Social Teaching than I am at carrying it out.

It’s taken me YEARS to remember to bring my own silverware and dish to a potluck so I’m not adding more plastic to the landfill. Yes, I carry my own coffee mug with me. No, I don’t remember to bring it into whatever marvelous class I’m taking. Pass the Styrofoam cups, please.

At present, I know of a single mom and three kids who are living on the street because they don’t speak the language and don’t have anyone to interpret for them. A community of families has taken in 600 migrants just like them. I love reading and learning about them, from afar. Their commitment terrifies me.

We live in an era of Catholic Information Explosion. But can I do a better job of ACTING on all that I know? It’s challenging to HEAR the Word. It’s more challenging to DO it.

In what ways are you DOING the Word you’ve heard?

Kathy McGovern ©2024

Ordinary Time - Cycle B