A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to 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 the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”
Reflection: Last week, a TikTok video (and subsequent social media buzz) claimed that a sales associate at a high-end Chanel boutique, told Sadie Sandler, daughter of famous actor and comedian Adam Sandler, she was not allowed to touch certain items, due to her casual, “Sandler-style” outfit. According to the rumor, a “Pretty Woman” moment resulted, where Adam Sandler returned to the store, and purchased over $300,000 worth of bags, to teach the staff a lesson. Well, it turns out that this particular story was false and was later firmly denied by Adam Sandler.
Although, this story turned out to be false, it makes me think of today’s Gospel of Mark, and Jesus words; “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.” I’m referring, to the words from the sales associate in the story I shared. The sales associate sees, passes judgement, and then from within, tells Adam Sandler’s daughter, evil thoughts. But how many of us, maybe, have also fallen in that same evil trap? I know I have!
Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel! Sin does not come from our circumstances, it does not come from other people, and it does not come, from the environment. It comes from the human heart. The prophet Jeremiah, in 17:9 warns that; “More tortuous (twisted) than anything is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?”
My brothers and sisters, our will, and our moral decision-making, come from our heart, and Jesus, in today’s Gospel, lists the fruits of a corrupted heart: “evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.”
Some folks may rely on their own, to change the corrupted condition of their heart. However, we cannot clean our own hearts. Only God can. That is why the Sacraments are so vital. In Confession, we do not just list occasions; we confess the state of our hearts. We ask God to remove the stony heart and give us a heart of flesh.
Some applications for guarding our hearts are; When we feel anger, envy, or lust rising, recognize it immediately as a temptation surfacing, from within. Do not entertain it. The Eucharist and Confession are the “vaccines” for our heart. They purge the evil that tries to take root and replace it with the charity of Christ.
Action for the Day: As you reflect on today’s Gospel message, meditate on the condition of your heart, and pray to the Holy Spirit, to help you be less concerned, with external appearances. Meditate on Psalm 51:12 which says: “A clean heart creates for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” And ask God, to help you in cleansing, and purifying your heart.
Audio Reflection:
