Setting Priorities

Gospel: Mark 7: 1-13

In today's Gospel portion we find Jesus in a dispute with scholars of the law, and each side has clearly different priorities in their understanding of the law.  These scholars are obsessed with the laws of ritual purification related to table fellowship: washing of hands, cups, bowls, and food.  They find a lack of observance in these things to be of primary importance, and they castigate Jesus and his disciples for their neglect of these rituals.

Jesus, however, is more concerned about the relationships among people at the table.  It is not so important that one be clean to be present at the table as much as it is important to be present at the table.  It is in the table fellowship itself that one becomes clean, i.e. that what is of highest importance - relationships with one another - are restored, healed, and purified through food, drink, and interaction.  The ultimate act of mercy is table fellowship itself with others.

In our own day we have this same question before us, the same conflict over the law.  We often choose the path of ritual purification because it is easier.  It does not require us to encounter another or to show love and mercy to anyone.  But it is not the way of Jesus.  The way of Jesus is the encounter, the fellowship at table where the fellowship and sharing of the meal bring purification and restoration to us in showing love and mercy to others and they to us.