TRUE PURITY

Mark 7:20-23
“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts… All these evils come from within and they defile.”
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We have learned that some of the things that we eat today may harm us. The latest was the melamine (ingredients in milk) scare in Philippines, that can harm our kidneys. Then there are the artificial flavorings that can cause cancer. All these things, when absorbed by the body, could have harmful effects someday.

In today’s gospel, Jesus is very clear that what really defile a person are not the things that comes into his mouth, but those that comes out of it. The Jews at the time of Christ, what you ate especially was important to them, because of the dietary laws that God had given Moses on Sinai. Jesus points out in the first thirteen verses that the rules and regulations that had been added to the Law had become more important to the Jews than the Law itself.

Jesus wants them to understand that the things they say are more important than the things they eat, and that our actions, thought, and statements are what really defile or corrupt us.

Jesus reminds us that our religious ceremonies and lip service don't matter if we don't obey God, and follow His word in all things. And these things many times are not evident to those around us – but God can see them. Our actions may even seem pure and good, but when they are done for the wrong reasons, they really corrupt us. True purity is the purity of the heart!

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, I earnestly wish to be pure in thought, word and deed in imitation of your own holy purity. Obtain for me, then, a deep sense of modesty which will be reflected in my external conduct. Protect my eyes, the windows of my soul, from anything that might dim the luster of a heart that must mirror only Christlike purity. Heart of Jesus, Fount of all purity, have mercy on us.

Amen +

O bless the Lord, my soul!