Homily for Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus challenged His critics for prioritizing human regulations over God's commandments. He recognized that the religious traditions of His time did not always align with God's will, as revealed in the Scriptures and, more fully, through His own teachings.

The Church must remain vigilant to ensure that its traditions reflect God's Word, particularly as expressed by Jesus. Periodically, the Church needs to renew itself, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to cleanse its traditions so they align more closely with the true spirit of the Gospel. The Second Vatican Council is a significant example of such an effort.

Similarly, in our personal lives, we can fall into traditional practices that do not resonate with the essence of God's message in Scripture. Whether in our religious practices or in a broader context, our personal traditions require reform in light of the Gospel. We should continually seek to hear the Word of the Lord anew and ask the Holy Spirit for help in doing so.