Meaning, Not Tradition

"Jesus answered, 'You go no further than appearances. How well Isaiah prophesied of you when he wrote: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, for what they teach are only human rules. You even put aside the commandment of God to hold fast to human tradition.'" - Mark 7:6-8

We can be so fake at times. During the regular church year, masses aren't full at all, but during Christmas and Easter, the church is full from wall to wall. When actors and musicians win an award, the first person they thank is God, yet why don't we know more about their faith? It's time for all of us to respond to the call of God in a genuine way and begin to live a different life, walk with the dignity and integrity of Jesus. Saying we are Christians and that we believe in God is only the beginning. Attending church on Sunday does not make you a true follower, rearranging priorities does. Traditions are only the shells the represent meaning. They go over our heads unless we respond to the voice of God and delve into that meaning. That's why church might be boring, or prayer is boring, because people fail to make the time to discover the richness and fullness of a life in God. So many of us only follow tradition and think we are just and good people because of it. Just and good people are the ones the seek to take Jesus' message to heart and live it, not only keeping it on the outside as a custom.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to exercise my faith in You. Don't let me fall into the traps of conforming to society and not follow You with my entire life. Let my zeal for You guide me in all things so I show You my actions and not just tradition. In Your Name we pray, amen.