Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.

” When He got home away from the crowd His disciples questioned Him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.)

“But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Reflections

From their hearts. One is right before God not because of the clean food one eats or because of the washing ritual prescribed by the Pharisees. What matters is conversion or change of heart. To be a child of God and a disciple of Jesus is to have a contrite heart and to live an honest and holy life.

We can all relate with God and enter into communion with God. We are not categorized as clean or unclean. We can share in God’s life and work in God’s vineyard. Jesus calls for purity of heart which expresses itself in inspiring others, doing good for others, caring for people in need, forgiving, and seeking forgiveness.

What is in your heart?

What comes out of your lips?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2012,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.,); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.