Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact,
all Jews do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the
tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat
without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have
traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow
the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He
responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in
vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard
God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He 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.
“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.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
A middle-aged
wife would always be seen by her husband every morning carefully fixing herself
most especially her make up before going to work. There was one morning that
the husband inquired: “Honey, why are you very particular with your physical
appearance.” The wife retorted, “I need to look good so that I would always
look fresh and young.”
In the
gospel, the Pharisees questioned Jesus regarding His followers who were not
observing the external tradition. However, Jesus would have none of it because
for Jesus external observance is simply a facade. What is important for Jesus
is what is in our hearts.
Many of
us are like this middle-aged woman very particular with our external appearance
and the external impression that we would convey. However, what is the use of
external impression if we don’t follow the commands of the Lord? What is the
use of a pretty/handsome appearance if we are spewing expletives and scorn?
Physical
appearance is useless for its passing and temporary what is important is what
is inside us. Like the goodness and pureness of our hearts which we translate
to actual acts of love, mercy and compassion. What is important is we do good
without seeking recognition, honor and adulation.
What is
important is we follow the commands of the Lord and not follow the temptation
and command of the devil. The commands of the devil which are always disguised
as attractive and tempting yet it leads us to emptiness, nothingness and
brokenness at the end. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
No comments:
Post a Comment