14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”[e] 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”[f] (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.“
— Mark 7:14-23, English Standard Version
Sunday Scripture: What Defiles a Person
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1 Comment
The daily readings (for Catholics, at least) have been focusing on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. If memory serves, it’ll change somewhat towards Advent, but then pick up in earnest during Lent. This is one of many daily readings where they are trying to trip Jesus up on their laws.
Which lead to the crucifixion, of course.
I don’t know where I read this, it may have been in the reflection in any one of these readings, but may have even been here, for all I remember. But it hit the nail on the head: The Christian studies scripture to understand God, and his role in the world. Jews read scripture to figure out ways around God’s will. You see that over and over as covenant after covenant is broken in the old testament. What’s happening here is they are using what was a probable prescription to stay healthy (warsh yer handz) as a tool to accuse Jesus.
You see that today in the little hats, like the one Ben Shapiro wears. If you believe God says to cover your head, wear an f-ing hat. Don’t quibble about what is the minimum I can get away with covering. Mooslims believe this too, but you don’t see them with a drink coaster on their skulls.
Letter of the law, not the spirit, as you see in this reading.