As God's chosen leader of the people, Moses explained to the Israelites that by diligently observing the commandments of the Lord, they would be showing an example to the surrounding nations who worshipped false gods and sacrificed children to their gods. When those nations would hear of the spiritual laws of the true God, they would say, God's people are wise and discerning.
The Pharisees were deeply committed to preserving the Jewish law, and over time, this commitment expanded into a complex system of traditions meant to safeguard the law’s purity. Washing hands, cups, and utensils were part of this tradition. It was an effort to remain holy in a world they saw as defiled by sin.
In today’s Gospel passage, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, we encounter a moment of profound teaching from Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes, the religious leaders of the time, approach Jesus with a complaint. They notice that some of
Jesus responds to their critique not by dismissing the law but by going to the heart of the matter. He quotes Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines” (Is 29:13). Here, Jesus reveals the hypocrisy of focusing on outward appearances while neglecting the inward reality of the heart. The Pharisees were obsessed with the letter of the law, but they missed the spirit. They were meticulous about rituals, but their hearts were filled with pride, judgment, and spiritual arrogance.
The idea that true defilement comes from within is rooted in the Old Testament. Proverbs 4:23 instructs, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of our being—the source of our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls His people to internal transformation, not just external conformity. For example, in Ezekiel 36:26, God promises to give His people a new heart and put a new spirit within them, removing their heart of stone and giving them a heart of flesh. This transformation is what God desires—an internal change that leads to a life of true righteousness.
The New Testament reinforces this principle. In Romans 12:2, Paul urges believers, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal begins in the heart and mind, leading to a life that pleases God. Similarly, in the Beatitudes, Jesus blesses the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). Purity of heart is not about external rituals but about inner holiness—a heart that seeks God and His righteousness above all else.
King David’s life offers a powerful illustration of this truth. David was not without sin—his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah, are well-documented. Yet, despite these grave sins, David is remembered as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Why? Because when confronted with his sin, David’s response was one of genuine repentance. Psalm 51, which David wrote after his sin with Bathsheba, is a profound expression of his brokenness before God. He prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). David understood that his sin was not just a matter of external actions but stemmed from a corrupt heart. His prayer for a clean heart reflects the kind of internal transformation that God desires.
Here’s a humorous story. There was once a man who was very proud of how meticulously he kept his home. He was particularly proud of his collection of fine china cups, which he polished and displayed in a cabinet for all to see. One day, he invited his friend over for tea and couldn’t resist showing off his collection.
"Look at these cups," he said, holding one up. "Not a speck of dust on them! I make sure they’re spotless."
His friend, who was known for his quick wit, took the cup, examined it carefully, and then pretended to take a sip from it. "Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "It’s beautiful, but I think I just tasted last week’s tea!"
The man realized that while he had been so focused on keeping the outside of the cups clean, he had neglected to properly clean the inside.
It’s just like our lives—keeping up appearances on the outside is useless if we don’t take care of what’s inside!"
In today’s world, the message of Jesus is more relevant than ever. We live in a culture that often prioritizes appearances—social media, fashion, success, and even religious practices can become tools for presenting a polished image. But Jesus challenges us to look deeper. The true measure of a person is not found in outward appearances but in the condition of the heart. Corruption, greed, injustice, and violence—these are not merely external problems; they are symptoms of a deeper issue within the human heart.
The Story of Father Damien and the Leper Colony is a touching story that illustrates the teaching of Jesus in Mark 7:14-15.
Father Damien was a Catholic priest from Belgium who volunteered to serve in a leper colony on the island of Molokai in Hawaii in the 19th century. At that time, leprosy was a feared and misunderstood disease, and those afflicted were ostracized from society. The Hawaiian government quarantined them on Molokai, where they lived in deplorable conditions, without proper care or hope.
When Father Damien arrived in Molokai, he found people who were not only physically afflicted but also spiritually broken. They had been cast aside by society, treated as if they were already dead. Many believed that their illness made them unclean in the eyes of God, defiled by something external, something beyond their control.
Father Damien, however, saw them not as defiled beings but as children of God in desperate need of love and dignity. He did not fear their disease; instead, he touched them, embraced them, and lived among them as one of them. He shared their food, built their homes, and cared for their wounds. His love was not just in words but in actions, demonstrating the heart of the Gospel.
Years passed, and Father Damien eventually contracted leprosy himself. Even as his body became ravaged by the disease, his spirit remained pure. He continued to serve the lepers, showing that what comes out of a person—their love, compassion, and dedication—truly reflects the purity of their heart. Father Damien's leprosy was not what defined him; rather, his selfless love and service were the true marks of his character.
Father Damien’s life reminds us that external circumstances, such as disease or physical appearance, do not defile a person. Instead, it is the love, or lack thereof, that flows from within that truly defines who we are. His story echoes the words of Jesus: “There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
Today, Jesus calls us to a higher standard—to a purity of heart that transcends mere ritual. He invites us to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, so that our lives might reflect His love, grace, and truth.
Satish