True Devotion

February 11, 2025 - Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 7:1-13

At first glance, today’s Gospel might seem hard to understand. The Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for not following the tradition of the elders—but what exactly was that tradition?

In the Law of Moses, ritual washing was originally required only for priests before and after offering sacrifices in the temple (see Ex 30:17-21; Num 18:11-13). But over time, religious leaders began layering new interpretations onto the law. Since Exodus describes Israel as a priestly people, some Jewish rabbis reasoned that everyone—not just priests—should follow the same purification rituals.

This tendency—to take something meant for a specific group and apply it universally—has also happened in the Church. For centuries, the ideal spiritual life was often modeled after the priesthood or religious life. But is that the only way to be holy? St. Francis de Sales, a 17th-century bishop, strongly disagreed. In The Introduction to the Devout Life, he asked:

"Should a bishop live like a monk? Should a married person avoid earning money like a Capuchin friar? Should a worker spend the entire day in church like a religious brother?" Then he gave the answer: "This kind of devotion is ridiculous, unorganized, and intolerable."

Jesus confronted the Pharisees for turning human traditions into rigid rules that overshadowed real worship. The same danger exists today. If we see holiness as a one-size-fits-all formula, we miss the heart of true devotion. St. Francis de Sales reminds us that devotion should fit our vocation—whether we are students, artists, teachers, parents, or business leaders. True holiness isn’t about copying someone else’s path but about bringing God into our own daily lives.

So, here’s the challenge: How do we discover a devotion that fits our calling? How do we make sure our faith isn’t just lip service but a true worship of God from the heart? Jesus doesn’t ask us to follow empty rituals—He asks us to love God and live our faith authentically, wherever we are.