Today’s gospel focuses on the Pharisees who kept every detail of their traditions, such as washing cups and jugs. Meanwhile, Jesus’ disciples aren’t even washing their hands before eating. What’s the point? While the first group does good things, they disregard God’s commandments in more important things. The Pharisees choose their own interpretation of the Law over God’s intent such as care for the poor.  

On this day when we open the Season of Care for Creation, are we keeping God’s Law that requires us to care for the earth, which God made “very good”? Pope Francis initiated the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1) in 2015. What can we do to care for creation? Let us pray to discern between what fulfills God’s desire for all humankind and what satisfies only our own personal convenience. This isn’t easy, but it is necessary.

Prayer: Open our eyes to the beauty of the natural world, and increase efforts to care for Planet Earth, even when it’s inconvenient to reuse or recycle.