Gospel
text (Mark 7,1-8.14-15.21-23): One
day the Pharisees gathered around Jesus and with them were some teachers of the
Law who had just come from Jerusalem. They noticed that some of his disciples
were eating their meal with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. Now
the Pharisees, and in fact, all the Jews, never eat without washing their hands
for they follow the tradition received from their ancestors. Nor do they eat
anything when they come from the market without first washing themselves. And
there are many other traditions they observe, for example, the ritual washing
of cups, pots and plates. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law asked
him, «Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders, but eat
with unclean hands?». Jesus answered, «You, shallow people! How well Isaiah
prophesied of you when he wrote: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but
their heart is far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, for what
they teach are only human rules’. You even put aside the commandment of God to
hold fast to human tradition».
Jesus then called the people to him again and said to them, «Listen to me, all of you, and try to understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can make that person unclean. It is what comes out from within that makes unclean». And He went on, «What comes out of a person is what defiles, for evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly. All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean».
Jesus then called the people to him again and said to them, «Listen to me, all of you, and try to understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can make that person unclean. It is what comes out from within that makes unclean». And He went on, «What comes out of a person is what defiles, for evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly. All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean».
Comments