Reflection: It’s funny how things change over time. In the first reading we Solomon before he has fallen, and we see his humility. He realizes that the heaven and earth cannot contain God, so how could this massive temple he had built contain him. He wants to do God’s will. He wants to do his fathers will. He wants his people to have a place to worship. He wants to show is love for God by creating this massively impressive temple. In the Psalm the writer proclaims the might of the temple. All seem to be drawn to the temple, even the birds of the air. The Psalmist proclaims that he would rather live on the doorstep of the temple than in the comforts of a tent of wickedness. But oh how things change with time. In the Gospel we see the Pharisees confronting Jesus… again. They have a legitimate question, “Why don’t you guys wash your hands before you eat?” On he service it seems like a legitimate question, but Jesus can sense what is in their hearts. The Pharisees, are so caught up on tradition that they fail to recognize that, first they are in the presence of the Messiah, and second that they are so wrapped in tradition that they loose sight of the true intention of the law. The law is to teach one to be fair, honest and righteous all the while loving. But that is why Jesus came right? At least in part to teach us to love. I think of myself. There are many times through out the day when I give praise to God. I do my best to study and learn his way so that I can be a better man for my family and all that I meet, but what happens when I am in the middle of a lesson and get interrupted? Do I stop what I am doing and focus on what is important with love, or do I repel and say, “Egad child!!! How dare you interrupt me while I am studying the word and ways of God!” I got to be honest. Sometimes I stop and love. Sometimes I get irritated. Sometimes I down right loose my cool. I am a sinner. I am a work in progress. I am better than I used to be but I still have a long, long, long way to go.
So what will I do? I will go out into the world, I will pray as constantly as I can so that I do not loose focus on what is important. I will focus on God so that I can love him and everyone I meet fairly, justly and righteously.
