HYPOCRISY

HYPOCRISY

The Pharisees who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and observed that the disciples were eating without first washing their hands as was the custom.  (Jews traditionally do not eat without first washing their hands.  They also require the washing of dishes, cups, jugs, kettles and beds.)  MK 7:1-4

Even though we we wouldn’t want to side with the Pharisees, we also believe in cleanliness, knowing it is essential for health.  The first time I read this passage I asked my mother about it.  She said the Jew’s insistence on these rules was actually God’s way of protecting them from catastrophic illness, which could decimate an entire population, because they had to survive to produce the Messiah.

But, in this case, Jesus is not interested in that custom.  He immediately strikes out at the Pharisees by quoting Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”  It’s safe to say that Jesus did not let hypocrisy go unanswered!   The Pharisees were constantly being shown up for it.  Jesus’ put up with their questions and traps but always called them on this. 

Since this is something Jesus made a point of condemning, it probably is something we need to think about.  Ever since I was little, priests have joked about how the people leave Mass and then promptly cut each off in the parking lot. Everyone laughs and accepts this, not as a criticism, but as harmless behavior, when in fact it is hypocrisy.  We see it in politics and advertising; say one thing, do another. 

Usually we can spot it in others, but less so in ourselves.

What got me thinking about this was a memory of a day when my family and I were traveling in the south.  We stopped for breakfast in a small town.  We hadn’t been to church because no one knew where the Catholic Church was.  It was that kind of place.  Anyway, everyone in the diner was in the their Sunday best after, apparently just coming from their church.  The minute we walked in the door we knew we weren’t welcome.  People looked up and then away. Conversation stopped.  The host took his time coming to us.  It was awkward to say the least.  My father had an innate sense of justice so he just stood there smiling and said, “Do you have a table for us?”  We all wanted to just get out of there but Daddy was not about to give them what they wanted.  When we got on the road again, he said: “ What a bunch of hypocrites.   You can’t call yourself a Christian and treat strangers like that, as though we had no right to be in their space.”  Lesson learned.

Jesus set the tone for living every day, be kind, judge not, be close to God, love one another.  It’s so simple it’s too simple.  All the events of a day keep getting the way of such simplicity, which we use as our excuse.  I’ve been going over in my head my daily life looking for examples of where I am a hypocrite.  This is not a fun exercise!

If, however, I strive to live like Jesus, it must be done.  Let us pray for each other to discern our weaknesses and so live the life of Jesus.

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA