Mk. 7:1-8, The Sufficiency of the Cross Applied (5)

Before coming to the issue of “lent,” as background for this I came across the issue of the “liturgical year.”  The Catholic doctrine says “through the liturgical year the Church systematically brings forth before us God’s Word, the bible” (p271).  So that is interesting, in light of the fact that the RCC for generations forbade church members to have their own Bibles and read and study them.  The Church was the only valid interpreter of Scripture.  I say “was.”  I am aware that Vatican II encouraged Catholics to read the Bible.  But while it seems there is some of this evident in the USA I will be interested to see whether it is the case when we are in a country where Catholicism is the dominant religion.

Further, I was not aware that for different times in the year the priest apparently wears different colors of robes.  The 4 advent Sundays before Christmas involve “violet vestments;” Christmas, Jan. 1 and Epiphany on Jan. 6 get “white vestments;” the Sundays after Epiphany get “green vestments.”  Where does all this come from?  It is strange to me.  But here is the explanation:

The liturgical year … is not a cold and lifeless representation of the events of the past, or a simple and bare record of a former age.  It is rather Christ himself who is ever living in his Church.  Here he continues the journey of immense mercy which he lovingly began in his mortal life, going about doing good with the desire of bringing men to know his mysteries and … live by them. (From Pope Pius XII)

One observation about the Pius’ words: he tells me that all this liturgy is the means by which Christ is merciful with the mercy He began in his mortal life.  I am sure Pius will object to this, but he is speaking of a Christ who did not finish the work of grace and mercy on the cross.  The veil was torn in two to give me access to God and His grace and mercy.  I come to Him for grace and mercy (Heb. 4:14-16).  I do not need additional mercy.  And furthermore, as RCC theology says, for me to receive God’s mercy requires “the bible and the liturgy – ‘Word and Sacrament (p187).’” 

The answer to my question as to where the various robes and the liturgy is that it is TRADITION.  It does not come from the Bible but from men.  Why should I not have the same attitude about this that the Lord Jesus had: This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men (Mk. 7:6-7).  Jesus spoke of Judaism: For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of pitchers and cups and many other such things you do (7:8).  Why would He not have the same judgment for Catholicism?  They have added to the requirements that must be fulfilled to have access to God and His grace and mercy, and what they have added is “the tradition of men.”  Whoever tells me I must make this part of my relationship with God is cheating me of my reward (Col. 3:18).