Readings: Deut 4:1-2.6-8, Ps.15; James 1:17-18.21-22.27; Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
THIS PEOPLE HONOURS ME WITH THEIR LIPS BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. IS YOUR HEART WITH THE LORD?
Oftentimes, we find it difficult to separate the commandments of God from human traditions. This no doubt plays out in our making and interpreting of laws and it has great consequences in our relationship with God and our neighbours just as we have it in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Pharisees multiplied religious laws and rituals to such an extent that it was impossible to know them all, talk more of observing them.
So, Jesus accuses them of neglecting the true commandment of God over their petty regulations. For they neglected the instructions of Moses in our first reading today who said to the people: “take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today. You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God just as I lay them down for you”. But they have added petty laws and traditions highly detailed which the Scribes and Pharisees regarded as having the same binding force as the Laws God gave to Moses.
However, Jesus was not totally against these laws and regulations. What he was against was the legalism by which the mere observance of some external actions were equated with being a devout lover of God. Hence he reminds them of the quotes from the prophet Isaiah saying: “this people honours me only with lip service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless; the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.” (Is 29:13).
Little wonder Jesus makes it clear that we are not defiled or separated from God, by external things, such as the kinds of food we eat, but by the sins of the heart, evil intentions and sinful actions which we entertain in our hearts. Telling us that physical activity of the human person does not defile a person because the physical is being controlled by the interior being of the person. For when the interior life of a person is corrupted by sin, then the fruit of this corruption is manifested in the physical activity of the person’s life.
For just as a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so will a corrupt heart bring forth corrupt fruits, corrupt appetites, corrupt passions and covetousness and excess desires for worldly things from which comes wickedness; malice, hatred, and a delight in mischievous actions, deceit; Lasciviousness; that filthiness and foolish talk which darkened the human soul and keep us away from our God.
Hence, Jesus teaches us that from a corrupt heart comes the desire for fornication and adultery. Therefore, the defilement we ought to avoid is not from what entered our mouths as food, but from what comes out of our mouths, which shows the goodness or corruption deep down in our hearts. For the human heart is the source of every good and evil deeds.
Hence, the pollution of the human heart is very dangerous, for in it comes all the powers and faculties of the soul. So there is need for us to know that lustful and sinful thoughts of the heart defiles the human person and makes one abominable in the sight of God. And St. James in our second reading tells us to do away with all the impurities and bad habits that are still left in us. But accept and submit to the word of God which has been planted in us and can save our souls. Thus, he encouraged us to be doers of the Word of God and not just hearers and thereby deceiving ourselves.
Dear friends, there can be some elements of the Pharisee in us and these happen whenever, we focus our attention on laws while neglecting the spirit of the law. So we must ensure that our hearts are constantly purged of all these corruptions in other to bear good fruits of love, forgiveness, compassion and holiness. For it is only when this occurs that there will be need for a new hearts and right spirit to be formed and created within us.
Because nothing will last in the soul more than the regenerating graces of the Holy Spirit which gives sight to the heart darkened by sin in order to effectively lead others to the truth that illuminates their hearts from the darkness of sin and death. So why not be one of those holy and pure souls which humanity desire to have in our generation.
LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the human hearts have been corrupted and darkened by sins and this has made us to abandoned your commandment of love. As we struggle to constantly purge our hearts from sin and corruption, may you create a pure heart within us so that we can bear good fruits of love and holiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing a blessed Month.
