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

Gospel according to Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men." And he called the people to him again, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him." For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man."

Reflections

In Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Jesus directly challenges the Pharisees and scribes by criticizing their focus on human traditions over God's commandments. He points out that their obsession with ritual purity, like washing hands, misses the deeper spiritual meaning of God’s commandments. Jesus highlights the danger of getting so caught up in following rules and traditions that we forget the true purpose behind them.

Jesus also teaches that defilement comes from within a person, not from external factors like unwashed hands. This groundbreaking message shifts the focus from outward appearances toward our inner thoughts and actions. It reminds us that what really matters is what's in our hearts and minds. We can look impeccable on the outside, but if our thoughts and actions are negative, that is what truly defines us. Jesus calls us toward self-reflection and honesty about our inner lives.

Another important point is the inclusivity of Jesus' message. By addressing the crowd and later explaining to his disciples, Jesus makes it clear that His teachings are for everyone, not just the religious leaders. This inclusivity is inspiring because it shows that everyone has the potential to understand and live by God's commandments. Jesus highlights the importance of sharing knowledge and wisdom with others, regardless of their background or status.

Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity and lists various sins that come from the heart – He teaches that inner purity is more important than outward rituals. It's a reminder that our actions should come from a place of genuine goodness and not just a desire to appear righteous. This can be applied to our daily lives by focusing on being kind, honest, and compassionate, rather than just going through the motions to seek the approval of others.

In conclusion, today’s readings beckon us to look beyond traditions and outward appearances and to focus on avoiding the true source of defilement, which is when we choose to act on thoughts and impulses that lead us to sin. It encourages us to embrace the inclusivity of Jesus' message and strive for inner purity. These reflections remind us that true spirituality and goodness come from within when we cultivate the habit of aligning our thoughts and actions with the Gospel values of humility, compassion, kindness, justice, forgiveness, integrity, peace, and courage.