READING: John 6:22-71, Mark 7:1-23, Matthew 15:1-20
Some days it’s just good to do a self-evaluation, especially when the Word and the Spirit lead in that direction. In today’s readings, we hear Jesus speak against the Pharisees and their man-made traditions they had elevated to doctrine. Speaking particularly about their rules for eating, Jesus reminded them that it is not what goes into a mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of it—for the latter reflects the heart.
Matthew and Mark, in fact, include two representative lists of the evils that lurk in the heart:
- “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander.” (Matt 15:19)
- “For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22)
Just walking through the lists with an open heart reminds me that all of us–beginning with me–can be susceptible to these things, too. As I begin this week, I pray my actions and my words would be fully pleasing to God—that in no way would they reveal any sin in my heart.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: To which item in the lists are you most susceptible?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, keep my heart, my words, and my actions pure this day.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:31-37, Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 8:1-10, Matthew 15:32-16:4, Mark 8:11-21, Matthew 16:5-12
