Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 7:8-13 (New Living Translation)

⁸ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

⁹ And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! ¹⁰ For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ ¹¹ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— ¹² then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. ¹³ Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

I like the words used in the New Living Translation for these verses. The wording explains the concept of “Corban” in simple terms.

Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders for prohibiting people from doing anything for their father or mother. What? How is that religious? How is neglecting father and mother good and righteous?

I have no doubt that the religious leaders had good intentions. I have no doubt that when this tradition began that people knew how to use it and when not to use it.

Things that people create just seem to spiral downward from good intentions to really bad acts.

Today? Oh yes, I am sure that if we observed our lives we would find similar things that started with good intentions and have spiraled down into a bad practice – one that pushes us away from God. The shame of these things is that they make it difficult for some seeking God to plow their way through our lousy traditions.

God, help me to see the obstacles I have created and remove them.