This summer, I was blessed with an opportunity for a three month sabbatical. The time spent away from my regular parish responsibilities allowed me to engage in some ministry that I don’t ordinarily have the chance to do, some time for study, and time for prayer. Along the way, it also gave me time for fly fishing, one of my favorite leisure activities. When you spend time staring at a river, you learn some important lessons. One is that looks can be deceiving. Water that seems very still might have some of the most active fish. Places you are absolutely certain are teeming with trout turn out to be dead water without a single bite. And on certain days, only the gear you’re wearing suggests that you know how to fish.
The observance of the law was very important for the Jewish people, and indeed, important with good reason. Observing the details of the law provided a measurable way for the Israelites to know that they were fulfilling God’s will. But as with the observance of any rule, it was not hard for the implementation of the law to become more important than the reason the rule existed. And so the Pharisees and scribes are concerned that the Apostles are not following the ritual washings. Jesus, however, points out that the law has a spirit underneath that needs to be seen. When external observance or external appearances is all that matters, we can actually find ourselves in some trouble. Looks can be deceiving. I can think I know exactly where to find the fish, and come up empty (and if you doubt this to be true, remember that I am speaking both of my own reality and a biblical truth, for the Apostles more than once fished all night and caught nothing). Jesus tells us that the disposition of the heart matters at least as much as the observance of law. It is possible for me to live according to the commandments, but to entirely lack love for God and neighbor. I can make it look like I believe, but can also hold very contrary attachments in my heart. I can gear up and look like a bona fide fisherman. But if I don’t know how to cast, or how to set a hook, or how to reel in the trout, I’m just wearing a costume.
This challenging Gospel presents us with a question. Am I a masquerade Christian? Are my looks deceiving? Am I good at the externals, but divided in my heart? Remember, Jesus comes not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. He comes that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He comes to teach us the way back to the Father, so that our observance of the law and the conversion of our hearts can be in agreement. Let our looks, then, not be deceiving, but authentic reflections of the interior conversion of heart we have experienced. Let us, in thought, word, and deed, live according to the covenant God has made with us. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:12-13). Lord, pierce our hearts, and lay bare our strength and our weakness. Humble us, and give us the grace to follow you not only in external observance, but in the depths of our hearts that long for You.
