Reading I: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Reading II: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
GOSPEL: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Legislating Morality?
You’ve probably heard the saying before: “You can’t legislate morality.” The point that this cliché is trying to make is that you can’t turn an immoral person into a moral one by simply creating and enforcing laws. Judging by today’s Gospel reading alone, one might decide that scripture supports this opinion. Indeed, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah when he tells the Pharisees, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Yet when we consider the messages from all three readings, there’s a bit more to the story.
We Legislate Ethical Norms
First of all, let’s start by explaining a common distinction that is drawn between “morality” and “ethics.” Though people often use the words interchangeably, moral theologians often explain that “ethics” is the theory and “morality” is the practice. In other words, ethics is to morality what zoology is to animals; or what mathematics is to numbers. Ethics is the theoretical study of moral living.
When you get right down to it, the fact of the matter is that we do try to legislate morality. That’s what laws are designed to do – they force us to behave in a decent, ethical way. And of course, that is the distinction. Though we may try to legislate morality, all we can really do is legislate ethical behavior. We can try to compel people to behave in a manner that is conducive to a civilized society, but we can’t necessarily change what’s on the inside.
Morality Comes from Within
In the second reading, we are admonished to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.” This seems to indicate that actions are what are important, until we reflect on it in light of Jesus’ lament that the peoples’ hearts are far from God even though they speak all the right things. The fact of the matter is, people will eventually act upon what they hold in their hearts.
As Christians, we are called to help the less fortunate. We are called to reach out to those in need. But we shouldn’t do it out of guilt or fear of reprisal; we should do it in response to the love that is in our hearts.
If I love someone, it’s not enough to simply say it. My actions will show it because of the love that I hold for that person within my heart. Likewise, if I truly love the Lord, it’s not enough to simply say the words and recite the prayers. My love will be expressed through my actions and the message will be clearer than any words. If I truly love the Lord, I won’t be able to stop myself from being a “doer of the word,” because morality comes from within.
Life Applications:
How would you explain the difference between “ethics” and “morality” to a young child?
What is a personal example of being a “doer of the word?”
Describe your understanding of laws, rules and regulations in relation to ethics and morality.
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B):
Original article by Brandon Jubar, 2006-2021.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.