Psalm 104:1 -2a.27-28.29bc-30,
Mark 7: 14-23 Full Readings
It's Our Inner self that Matters.
The second creation account which we read today in the first reading is somehow different from the first. In the previous account no material had been used for the creation of Adam (or of anything else), but here the LORD God uses dust or crumbly earth, and the likeness to God is expressed by the breath of God breathed directly into the nostrils of the man. In the previous account the Spirit was there already, hovering over the waters, but in this case, it is the spirit of God that gives life to the man. The man actually receives the life of God. The application of this reading in today's world of vices and immoralities especially murder and suicide, is that man cannot create his own life and also, he may not take his own life; this is a unique gift of God, given in trust, the symbol and guarantee of dependence on God.
The man is placed in the Garden of Delights, for this is what ‘Eden’ means; to eat every fruit but the two trees. What are these two trees? Or is it one tree, the tree of life and also the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? In any case, the man may not tamper with it/them. It is an ominous warning that the man is not free to make any decision he likes but must do in accordance with God's will. There are standards, there is responsibility.
Perhaps this tree might be called the Tree of Conscience, perhaps in relation to today's gospel, the tree of our Inner self, which we must protect and not defile, that which is only reserved for God but that which God has put in our total control with freedom either to reserve it for only God or defile it with evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly and the like, which Jesus invites us today to examine our inner self and cleanse ourselves from these vices and defilement for "nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
This comes after his admonition of the Pharisees (yesterday’s gospel reading) about what is holy and not, about what should be done and not. Jesus then, turns and implores the crowd gathered there to “hear and understand” his teaching. We might imagine some urgency in his manner, reflecting his heart’s desire that the crowd not be misled by their rulers. He was saying it's not what we eat, but how we speak and behave that has the power to either glorify the Father or defile us. May we take his words as seriously as his listeners and disciples did, and reflect and repent, if necessary, on any sins of the tongue or defiling behaviours.
And therefore brethren, it is the heart that matters. Clearly, the point of the passage is about something much deeper and very precious to Jesus: the human heart. Jesus came to establish his kingdom, not with armies or castles, but through grace and conversion of the human heart. When he sees the evil we sometimes do, which starts from our hearts, he feels deep pain and so he passionately desires to enter and possess each person’s heart, so that he can transform it into a vessel of his love and light. Yet, he cannot enter without our consent. He stands outside our inner door and knocks softly, waiting for us to open the door and allow him in. Jesus wants to restore the image of God’s goodness and providence and original innocence in us. Today's invitation is to examine our conscience and inner self to see if it conforms with the will of God. Examining our inner self will enable us to establish good relationships with God and neighbours. What is the state of your inner self?
Let us Pray.
Jesus, I want to sit at your feet and allow you to teach me today about what is most important to you. You are interested in entering my heart— purifying it and transforming it for your glory. Jesus, please enter my heart now. Show me what is really there and make it like yours in all things. Amen
Be blessed.
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