Reflection for February 11 Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:14-23

Gospel: 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.”

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Reflection:

Where does our desire to commit sin come from?

If we honestly examine our hearts, we will realize that it begins from within us. It starts as a simple thought. When we allow ourselves to dwell on that thought and entertain it, it slowly grows stronger. If we do not stop it early, it can eventually lead us to act on that sinful desire.

We can see this, for example, in the temptation to betray sacred commitments such as marriage vows. It may begin with a passing thought, a feeling, or a moment of weakness. When we place ourselves in situations that make sin easier to commit, we become more vulnerable to giving in. This reminds us that the battle against sin often begins not outside us, but within our own hearts and minds.

How, then, can we avoid sin? We turn to Jesus in prayer and humbly ask for His help to cleanse our minds and hearts from sinful desires. But prayer must go hand in hand with action. We must also do our part by consciously turning away from temptation, confronting our weaknesses, and choosing what is right. If we pray but do not live according to what we pray for, we risk falling into sin again and again. Truly, God strengthens those who sincerely cooperate with His grace.

When we reflect more deeply, why do we still commit sin? Perhaps it is because, at times, we do not take our faith in Jesus as seriously as we should. Sometimes we allow our desires, emotions, or circumstances to be stronger than our commitment to Him. Yet sin never truly satisfies us. Instead, it slowly traps us and can lead us farther away from the freedom and peace that God desires for us.

Are we not tired of falling into the same sins? Are we not tired of allowing sin to control parts of our lives? Each time we give ourselves to sin, we risk becoming more attached to it, and there is always the danger that it may become harder for us to break free.

Now is the time for us to break this cycle of sin. Now is the time for us to ask Jesus to purify our thoughts, our desires, and our intentions. Now is the time for us to choose the path that leads to true freedom, healing, and peace in Him.

 Are we ready to surrender not just our prayers, but our thoughts, desires, and actions to Jesus—so that we may finally live the holy and free life that He lovingly calls us to? – Marino J. Dasmarinas