How does Tradition circumvent what God wants from His sons and daughters?

[fewnotmany]

I was in a discussion with a friend who feels as though her ethnic heritage makes her in good standing with God. When I quoted what Jesus, Paul, and Isiaiah said about tradition to her, she accused me of being anti-Judaism. I thought that was an odd reaction.

Matthew 15:2
… "Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders?

Matthew 15:3
… And (Jesus) answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

Matthew 15:6
’ . . . he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. …

Colossians 2:8
… See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of …

Isaiah 29:13
… The Lord said: Since this people draws near with words only and honors me with their lips alone, though their hearts are far from me, And their reverence for me has become routine observance of the precepts of men (tradition), Therefore I will again deal with this people in surprising and wondrous fashion: The wisdom of its wise men shall perish and the understanding of its prudent men be hid.

All of which has led me to the question . . .

How does Tradition circumvent what God wants from His sons and daughters?

 

[GJx86]

Cultural traditions, the “traditions of men” in Colossians and Isaiah, are not necessarily bad things. If they were, eating turkey on Thanksgiving would be sinful, because it’s a “tradition of men.”

The sort of tradition we should condemn is the one that leads us to sin against God, as in Matthew 15, when Jesus chastises the Jews for a man-made tradition that violates the Fourth Commandment. This is distinct from Sacred Tradition, which is the teaching of Christ and the Apostles, handed down to us today through the bishops.

If I’m understanding what your friend’s saying, a better way to make this point may be to examine the first six (or so) chapters of Romans, in which St. Paul teaches that the Jews’ heritage (which includes their invention and possession of the Mosaic law) doesn’t score them any extra points with God, since under the New Covenant, the Jews are justified by faith apart from works of the Mosaic law. See, especially, Romans 3:21-24: God’s righteousness in the New Covenant now exists apart from the heritage of the Jews, and although the Jews have that heritage, they’re sinners just like the Gentiles and need to accept God’s offer of salvation on His terms. This extends to all people of all nationalities, heritages, and traditions – my circumstances in life don’t change the fact that I’m a sinner.