Random Thoughts While Sitting By A Campfire

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

September 1, 2024

Some random thoughts while sitting by a campfire:

A campfire is a required ritual when one is camping. Even if it is 85 degrees outside. It makes no sense, but it is peaceful nonetheless.

I draw the line when the temperature reaches 95 however. That’s just too bloody hot.

A campfire can reach temperatures exceeding 800 degrees.

On a typical fall evening, the side of your body facing the campfire is broiling hot, while the side facing away is freezing cold.

It doesn’t matter which way the wind is blowing; the smoke will be in your face. No one knows why.

Smores are best enjoyed with grandchildren present.

I wonder why the Bible doesn’t mention campfires.

I wonder if Jesus liked smores?

I’m think he did, because it clearly says in today’s Gospel, “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person.” [Mark 7:15]

Do you think the disciples told Pharisee jokes around the campfire? Probably not, because that would be rather un-Christlike. But I’m thinking they probably wanted to.

Do you think the Pharisee’s told Jesus jokes around their campfire? Or would that violate one of their laws?

How many times did Jesus call out the Pharisees for their hypocritic behavior? I’m sure there’s a count out there somewhere.

I’d like to think that there actually were Pharisees who did come to believe in Jesus’ teachings, even though we don’t hear much about them. Maybe someone should write a book about that.

Clearly, the problem of hypocrisy continued after Jesus’ death. In James’ letter, he has to remind everyone that being do-ers of the word is more important than just hearing the word. [Ja 1:22]

Isn’t it amazing that our world is still dealing with hypocrisy and blind rule-following? I wonder when or if, it will end.

I wonder what a world of honesty and love would look like. I’d have to let go of “all {my} evils {that} come from within and… defile." [Mk 7:23] I know that is hard, because I try to do that now and am only having marginal success.

If I really want to be a part of a world that is free of “arrogance and folly”, then I need to be as good of an example as I can to those I encounter in my life. I need to be a do-er of the word.

Logs need to be added to a campfire and it needs to be stoked periodically to keep it burning hot.

Staring into the hot coals of a campfire is one way to hear the tiny whisper of God.

I need to keep my inner fire burning as hot as I can.

Every Day.

© 2024 by Timothy J. Doppel

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