Why Do Catholic Follow the Traditions of Men?

Q. I wonder about what you say about tradition.. In 1 Tim. 4:1-5, 2 Tim. 4:1-5, Mt. 15:1-9, and other passages, it warns not to follow the traditions of men.

A. As any good Berean would do let’s look at the scriptures you have cited.

1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

2 Timothy 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

I don’t see anything in these passages that condemn Tradition. Could you be a little more specific? I do see the word tradition mentioned in your third quote. But as you mentioned
it talks about “traditions of men.”

Mt. 15:6 And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7″You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8’THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 9’BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'”

I think you believe that Catholic Traditions are the same as what Jesus is condemning here. But, it isn’t. The important distinction in this passage is, as you said in your question, that Jesus refers to the ‘traditions of men”. These are the types of traditions that can often contradict the word of God.

But, there is not one Catholic Tradition that contradicts any scripture. There are however, Catholic Traditions that contradict the teachings and interpretations of Protestants. But that is not the same thing as contradicting Sacred Scripture. Did you know that St Paul especially exhorted the faithful to cling to the Traditions he had taught them? Here are some Scriptures that support our use of Sacred Tradition.

So then brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
~ St. Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you.
~ St. Paul (1 Corinthians 11:2)

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
~ (1 John 4:6)