Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 7, 2024

Date:   Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.  Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus, he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.All these evils come from within, and they defile.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from Mark immediately follows yesterday’s reading where the Pharisees challenged Jesus because of his disciples’ failure to wash their hands before eating. Today’s text continues that scene; Jesus teaches that it is not what comes from outside us that defiles us but rather from what is within, from the impure and unloving thoughts and emotions within us.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How do I rid myself of those thoughts and emotions that are unloving? Do I turn to the LORD for help so that I don’t act upon them?  

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, You created us in your image and likeness as beings and commanded us to love You and one another. Help us as we journey through this life to battle emotions and thoughts that lead us away from You and from our calling as the People of God. Grant that our minds and heart will stay focused on You and our love for You rather than on ourselves and our selfish desires. Be with us LORD and grant that we may strive always and everywhere to be with You. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.