Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man

 

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  

 

He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 'then he need not honor his father or mother.  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  

 

"Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "

 

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

 

- Matthew 15:1-20 

 

 Yesterday we read that, after feeding the multitudes in the wilderness, immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,  and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 

  Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  My study Bible explains that the tradition of the elders refers to the interpretations of the Law by Jewish teachers.  In today's reading, Jesus refutes their views that ritual purity depends on outward actions.  Instead, it is the state of the heart (see verse 8) that determines a person's purity.  

 

 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 'then he need not honor his father or mother.  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."   According to my study Bible, Christ shows here that the commandment of God cannot be superseded by the religious traditions of human beings.  It says that devotion to God includes both obedience to God's commandments, and service to others.  These two things cannot be separated.  In Jesus' example here, it can be clearly seen that the tradition cited by Jesus is, in fact and in outcome, contradictory to the commandment of God.  See also James 2:14-18; 1 John 4:7-21.  

 

 "Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:  'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, / And honor Me with their lips, / But their heart is far from Me. / And in vain they worship Me, / Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13.

 

 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.   For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."  The Pharisees are scrupulous in their observance of their tradition.  For fear of consuming something unclean, they observe these practices.  But they are blind to the greater purposes of God as intended in the Law in the first place.  Thus, Jesus calls them blind leaders of the blind.  As hypocrites, their intentions are unfortunately not always pure; they care too much for their places, which Jesus will elaborate on in Matthew 23.  

 

Jesus' teaching, as my study Bible says, emphasizes the purity of the heart (Matthew 5:8).  What do we nurture in our hearts?  What do we turn away from?  These are the questions we ask ourselves in obedience to the teachings of Christ.  For Jesus points to the heart as the center of a person, where is stored our desires, compulsions, even thoughts.  He says, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."  Elsewhere Jesus teaches, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).  Out of these teachings proceed the practice of "guarding the heart."  That is, to be aware of what is going on inside of our own hearts, and not entertaining the things which Christ says are not good for us.  All kinds of thoughts and desires will pass through the heart, but  our job is to be aware of what we entertain and nurture within the heart, and what we discard and turn away from -- and towards Him.  This is part of the purpose of fasting, to teach us this kind of discipline, that it is possible to turn away from thoughts and compulsions that do us no good, and are not a part of what it means to love God.  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5) is, according to Jesus, the first and greatest commandment of all (see Matthew 22:36-38).  The Pharisees, in their legalism, seem to have lost all sight of this guiding principle for all the rest of what we do to honor God and to live our lives is a good and fruitful and spiritual healthful way.  Let us note that these men, the Pharisees in today's reading, have come from Jerusalem.  No doubt they come to scrutinize Jesus and His ministry, and they begin with their questions and criticisms.  But Jesus is ready to stand up for what He is here to do and to teach and to live, for all of us.  Note how He seeks to protect His disciples when they are criticized for not practicing ceremonial washing.  Let us take note how Jesus teaches us to be, in defiance of those with authority in the Pharisees, and follow our Lord's teaching and all the practices of the Church designed to help us to guard the important place of the heart, that our good treasure may be there in a good and pure heart.

 

 

 

Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man

 

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 'then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me. 

And in vain they worship Me, 

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" 

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the  mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

 

- Matthew 15:1-20 

 

On Saturday we read that, following His feeding of five thousand men, and more women and children, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the son of God."  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,  and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 

  Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 'then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:  'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"   When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the  mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."  My study Bible explains that the tradition of the elders is a reference to the interpretations of the Law by Jewish teachers.  Jesus refutes their views that ritual purity depends on outward actions.  Instead, it is the state of the heart that determines a person's purity.  Here also, Jesus shows that the commandment of God cannot be superseded by people's religious traditions. Devotion to God includes both obedience to God's commandments and service to others -- and these two things cannot be separated (see also James 2:14-18; 1 John 4:7-21).   

 

In today's reading, Jesus yet again emphasizes the state of the heart as the true state of a person, the place upon which we're judged.  But there is more to it than this simple statement.  The state of the heart is responsible for what comes out of the mouth, for the things we say, and thereby the evil things upon which we'll be judged.  Jesus gives examples, saying, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."   This is why, in Christian practice and history, what's called the "guarding of the heart" (Proverbs 4:23) has been so significant.  In this sense, the inner life and the works we do are connected, but it is the guarding of the heart -- that is, an awareness of what we are doing and thinking, and taking steps to notice and to correct habits internal to us which put us in a bad place -- that ensures salvation, and a life lived on Christ's terms.  This is by no means the first time Jesus has addressed the connection between the reality of the heart and the ways we express ourselves, and what that has to do with judgment.  In the Sermon on the Mount, He equated the statute against murder with the effects of name-calling (Matthew 5:21-26).  He spoke of the statute against adultery and tied it to lust in the heart (Matthew 5:27-30).  He also forbade the swearing of oaths, emphasizing, "Let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No" be "No" (Matthew 5:33-37).  In chapter 12 of St. Matthew's Gospel, Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of Satan. He said to them, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:33-37).   Again, the emphasis is on our language, what proceeds out of the mouth, as Jesus says in today's reading, and in particular how that is connected to the state of the heart.  We could compare today's reading to the habits people are very proud of mastering in today's world, such as fasting, and in particular weight loss.  We also observe many who feel they are helping the world and preventing cruelty to animals through vegan and vegetarian diets.  In many religious traditions, regulation of diet plays a role.  This remains true in Christianity particularly for Orthodox Christians, for whom vegan or semi-vegan fasting days officially form roughly half the days of the year on the Church calendar.  But as Christians, we're not called to follow rules legalistically; fasting is a practice "remember God" and to learn and apply self-discipline to all areas of our lives, including the guarding of the heart, how we treat others, and especially that which proceeds out of our mouths, to paraphrase Jesus.  It's important that we note Christ's condemnation of hypocrisy, for there are ways of showing things outwardly that mask the reality of the heart, as the quotation from Isaiah in today's reading indicates (Isaiah 29:13-14).  Perhaps the great damage done by hypocrisy in the world is directly attributable to the failure to take these teachings of Christ seriously and apply them to our lives.  We might think for a few moments of the horrors done in the world in the name of progress, purporting to follow theories that were supposed to make countries better places, even the world a place of greater equality, democracy, justice -- all resulting in mass deaths in the millions over the past century or so.  Christ cites the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees in today's reading, and He will go on to scathingly condemn them throughout a whole chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel prior to His death on the Cross, which includes the disastrous conclusion for Jerusalem due to the failure of its religious leadership (see Matthew 23).  When life becomes a series of memes, repetition of slogans, and theories purporting new solutions to old problems, we open the door to a hypocritical front masking all kinds of unsavory motivations and will to power at any cost.  Let us consider the importance of the guarding of both our hearts and lips, the prudence that asks of us sincerity and purity of the heart as true goals in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All these evil things come from within and defile a man

 

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

'This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,

 Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.   For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."  

 

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man  from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

 

- Mark 7:1-23 

 

Yesterday we read that, Jesus having sent the disciples in a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, while He went to the mountain to pray, when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

 

 

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.   For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."  My study Bible remarks that the issue here is not the observation of Jewish customs or traditions.  Certainly Jesus does not prohibit them (Matthew 5:17-19; 23:23).  The issue here is when people set human tradition which is contrary to the tradition of God.  The tradition of the elders is a body of interpretations of the Law.  For the Pharisees and the scribes these became as authoritative as the Law and frequently superseded it.  According to that tradition, offerings (called Corban) could be promised to God in a way that property or earnings could still be used for oneself, but not for anybody else, including one's parents.  My study Bible adds that secondary traditions such as this obscure the primary tradition of the Law, which is contained in the commandments of God.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13.

 

 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man  from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  My study Bible comments that food cannot defile a person because it is created by God, and is therefore pure.  Evil things are not from God (see Christ's examples here) and these are what defile a person.  

 

In Christian thinking, we have no "evil foods."  But what we do have are evil ways of thinking, of being in the world.  We might choose to participate in evil through actions which are harmful.  Jesus names some evil things here:   evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  Most importantly, He clarifies by telling us, "All these evil things come from within and defile a man."   What this does is set out before us the clear message that we, in fact, are the source of our own "pollution," so to speak.  If we want to look toward a kind of purity in life, then we must look to ourselves and our own awareness of what we do, what we choose, the things in which we participate in life.  It points to a life of self-discipline -- discipleship, really, if you will -- as the key to avoiding the thing that are "unclean."  In the fasting practices of the Church, it must be clarified, there are no bad or evil foods.  Fasting is a discipline meant for the purpose of developing this kind of discipline, of discipleship.  That is, developing the capacity to say no to what tempts us but is not good for us.  Fasting from particular foods is also a form of sacrifice in the sense that we do so mindful of God, to whom we're grateful for all things.  It's a way of structuring that devotion and putting our highest good first.  We also abstain from bad behaviors, gossip, engaging in social media in ways that are detrimental such as the kind of bullying or insulting behavior we see with the slightest provocation in that particular social setting.  All of this is done to the advantage of keeping God in mind, remembering what we're to be about, and this faith gives us strength to find the discipline we need for a positive, creative, productive life, not indulging in the things that do more harm than good.  We can also think of our time as something we structure around that discipline.  In this reading, in which Jesus fed five thousand men (and more women and children) in the wilderness, we asked the question in commentary, with what things do we feed ourselves?  It's important to use this kind of discernment in terms our time, and what we choose to "consume."  Today's reading gives us pause to consider what we might abstain from that really isn't good for us -- or our communities -- at all.  Jesus names a few of those things in our reading, and calls them "evil things which come from within and defile a man."   In today's hyper-consumerist society, where all kinds of things are to be had at the touch of a button, we might need such discipline now more than ever, and for our own good.  Spectacles are to be had that pervert or subvert our relationships with one another, such as a massive internet porn presence, harmful to nurturing relationships especially for our young men, as so many suffer from a kind of addiction that corrupts the capacity for healthier interaction and fulfilling the basic need of finding a marriage partner and a family.  A sacrifice, in the ancient world, was done for the purpose of community, forming a meal including both God and community.  Should we choose to sacrifice these things that are harmful to ourselves and our capacity for healthy relationships, we might see that we strengthen such bonds with both God and community in so doing.  Let consider Christ's words, and our deep need to pay attention to what He tells us are the real things that defile who we truly are, and who we are meant to be in our loving Creator's sight.

 

 

 

 

Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

- Matthew 15:1-20

 Yesterday we read that after feeding the five thousand in the wilderness, immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"   And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"  The tradition of the elders, my study bible tells us, refers to the interpretations of the Law by Jewish teachers.  Jesus refutes their views that ritual purity depends on outward actions.  Rather it is the state of the heart that determines a person's purity (verse 8).

He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."   What Christ is expressing here is that the commandment of God can't be overridden by the religious traditions of human beings.  A devotion to God, my study bible tells us, includes both obedience to God's commandments, and service to others.  They cannot be separated (see also James 2:14-18; 1 John 4:7-21).  Jesus here is specifically criticizing the practice of allowing someone that declare their wealth a gift to the temple.  Thereby this would allow them to continue to use their wealth during their lifetime for themselves, but effectively enabled dereliction of care for needy or dependent elderly parents. 

"Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:  'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "  Jesus quotes from the prophesy of Isaiah (Isaiah 29:13) to illustrate His criticism of the hypocrites.

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Here is an indication of the open rift Jesus will have with the Pharisees, who will later plot to kill Him.  He calls them blind leaders of the blind -- and prophesies their eventual downfall stemming from their misguided priorities. 

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."  Jesus explains His teaching to the multitude earlier in the text ("Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man," verse 11).  This is the basis for the Christian emphasis on the care of the heart, the monastic discipline of awareness of our interior life and thoughts.  Jesus also taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (5:8).

How do you or I think about hypocrisy?  In context of today, that would mean making a show of one's righteousness -- possibly in a political sense -- but in truth fostering practices that really don't help anyone, or are in fact quite harmful.  Jesus doesn't just go on the defensive when His disciples are criticized.  He goes on offense -- He tells the Pharisees exactly what He thinks of their practices.  They conspicuously observe fasting rules and criticize His disciples, but in their own practices through their traditions allow the commandments to be effectively broken.  Jesus takes this criticism a step further when He speaks in front of the multitude, and expands on teaching regarding fasting.  Like many good practices meant for worthy effects, this can be abused for outward show and enable hypocrisy without a correct perspective.   (Thus the blind may lead the blind.)  A correct understanding of the purpose of fasting places a real emphasis on the heart.  Jesus says, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."  Once again, as in the Sermon on the Mount, He is teaching us that all of these bad and unrighteous acts begin in the heart, and if we don't put emphasis there, we risk our lives becoming hypocritical as well, with our hearts far from God, and our worship being in vain.  So how do we translate this into modern understanding?  We have a culture, especially via social media, of what is called "virtue signalling."  That is, we are able to post things through social platforms on the internet that declare our support for one way of thinking or another.  It is a time in which slogans pass frequently through our awareness, and especially that of our children.  We can easily allow such "sloganeering" to substitute for a true commitment to God's righteousness in our hearts.  We can say to ourselves that we don't have to watch our own hearts for thoughts of violence or envy, covetousness or manipulative lies, false gossip, even blasphemy.  In modern terms we might justify violent revenge, or the harm of innocents, as if they correct an injustice.  Especially in a time when we are beset by current events that take up our time, lives, and attention, where we cannot separate fact from fiction, and where our perceptions are so easily manipulated through media of all kinds, let us take the time to sit back and listen to Christ talk about how important it is that we stop placing so much emphasis on the outside -- and pull back to the inside to see where and how we are aligned with God in what we do and in what we see.  And that means especially how we see, what lens we're using.  We need the lens of the perspective of Christ, the one He offers to us and helps us to acquire and understand.  We need to remember where our first loyalty is, and who our true guide is.  That is the one way we can stay away from the blind guides who may be, like apparently many of the leadership of His time were, out for themselves and even their own wealth.  Let us remember we have a good guide, and call on Him and His allies -- the saints and the angels and our living fellow faithful, the good shepherds we know -- for help in keeping our hearts in the right place.  For our own righteousness in the end is all we really have, and worth the price of awareness.

There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

'This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning this parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within a defile a man."

- Mark 7:1-23

Yesterday we read that, after Jesus had sent the disciples off across the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida, and He went to the mountain to pray, when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and he was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."  My study bible tells us that the issue here is not the observation of Jewish customs or traditions, which Jesus never prohibits (Matthew 5:17-19, 23:23).  What is at issue is the setting of human tradition which is contrary to the tradition of God, as Christ points out here.  The tradition of the elders is a body of interpretations of the Law, which the Pharisees and the scribes held as authoritative as the Law, and often superseded it.  Therefore, in Jesus' example, according to this tradition offerings (called Corban) could be promised to God in a way that property or earnings could still be used for oneself, but not for anyone else -- including parents.  My study bible notes that secondary traditions such as this obscure the primary tradition of the Law, which is contained in God's commandments.  

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning this parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within a defile a man."  My study bible explains that food cannot defile a person because it is created by God and is therefore pure.  Evil things are not from God, and these are what defile a person.

It's interesting to observe Jesus' actions with regard to His followers, His disciples.  When they are criticized by the religious authorities, the Pharisees and the scribes, Jesus responds with a rigorous defense.  And as we may observe in other passages, He does so not simply by defending them, but by going on the offense.  He responds with His own criticisms of the practices of the religious leaders and their hypocrisy.  As is also consistent in Jesus' teachings, and especially in His criticism of the religious leadership, there are two important points to the criticism.  First of all, placing the desires of men (the tradition of the elders) above the desires of God (as taught by the Law).  And secondly and concurrently, the fact that God's Law is made through compassion, whereas the desires of human beings -- even couched in tradition -- reflect hidden motivations of selfishness, and run contrary to God's love and mercy which is the intent of the Law.  The Law was given to create community, right relatedness, and any tradition that obscures this aim runs contrary to the intentions of God.  Therefore Jesus states that a primary commandment, to honor one's father and mother, cannot be superseded by regulations regarding giving.  Let us keep in mind the dependency of elderly parents upon their children at this time.  There were no pension systems, but people -- as is true throughout history -- were dependent upon their children in their old age.  To prevent one's own income from being used to help support one's parents when elderly is a kind of hard-heartedness, even if for stated good intentions such as a gift to the temple.  Moreover, Jesus also teaches the crowds in today's reading, and goes yet further in His criticism of the leaders, based on their own criticism of His disciples who have not practiced ceremonial washing.  It is not food that spiritually defiles human beings.  It is rather that which "comes out" of human beings which is defiling.  This somewhat poetic and cryptic statement is explained more deeply in private to His disciples.  If we take in a food that isn't good for us, the body rids us of it.  But the issue here -- as was mentioned, interestingly, in yesterday's reading regarding the apostles hearts that could not take in the miracle of the loaves -- is precisely the human heart.  Do foods enter the heart?  What is it that dwells in our hearts?  It is the things we harbor there, in our center, that may come out of us to be expressed in the world which defile us:  evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  Through Christ's teaching, the Church historically has understood that a truly reflective life, mindful of what is in our hearts, becomes His command.  More than outward appearances, the essential importance of care of the heart becomes the standard and the norm in Christ's teaching.  His harshest criticisms are for the hypocrisy of the leadership, which couches these "evil things" that proceed out of the heart behind a formal observance of Law and tradition.  Jesus calls us to a deeper practice of humility before God, a deeper union with Creator than an appearance-based understanding of how we are taught to live.  This is not to throw away the law or even tradition, but to find a deeper and greater understanding of union and obedience before Creator.  He expresses a profound compassion and love as the currency of relation and communion with God, one which holds the "praise of men" to be secondary.  John's Gospel tells us that "even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43).  Today's many versions of political or social correctness may also serve to mask hypocrisy, focusing attention on particular outward appearances and even usage of particular words, rather than the compassion and sincerity of the heart.   Perhaps that should not surprise us in a time when a deep love of God is something that is "optional" and extraneous to modern social norms.  We are going to worship or serve something as human beings, whether or not we are conscious of the needs of the soul to do so.  The importance, then, of a consciousness of the heart becomes all the more important, and a value that we should not lose.  Let us consider the cruelties that are covered up through an emphasis on outward appearance, the "little things" that slip out from us when our only concern is conformity.  It takes courage to love God with all one's heart and mind and soul and strength, and to live life in the world accordingly (Mark 12:30-31).  The Scriptures are filled with people who throughout history have embodied that courage; sooner or later there is always conflict with "the world."  Let us consider the state of our hearts, the love of God that may fill us and cleanse, the virtue that heals the world through this depth of the place of the soul. 

All these evil things come from within and defile a man

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  he answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

'This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

- Mark 7:1-23

Yesterday we read that, after Jesus had sent the disciples by themselves across the sea to Bethsaida (see Thursday's reading), when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard he was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"  he answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."  My study bible notes here that the issue is not the observation of Jewish customs or traditions.  Christ most certainly does not prohibit those (Matthew 5:17-19; 23:23).  The real issue here is setting human tradition contrary to the tradition of God.  Jesus refers to the tradition of the elders; this is a body of interpretations of the Law.  For the Pharisees and the scribes, it was as authoritative as the Law, and frequently superseded it.  In accordance with that tradition, offerings (called Corban) could be promised to God in a way that property or earnings could still be used for oneself, but not for others -- even one's own parents.  My study bible says that secondary traditions such as this obscure the primary tradition of the Law, contained in God's commandments.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13, Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16.

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  My study bible says that food cannot defile a person; it is created by God and therefore pure.  Evil things are not from God, and these are what defile a person.

As we are in Lent, this is a particularly pertinent time to think about Jesus' words in today's reading (and my study bible's comment that food cannot defile a person as it is created by God, and therefore pure).  Historic traditions of Christian fasting vary from (and within) denomination to denomination and also from place to place.  There is no fixed list of foods which are "forbidden."  The tradition of fasting is not meant to denote sinfulness in terms of which foods are consumed.  It is rather a tradition developed for ascetic practice, for discipleship, so that we learn that we have the capacity for choice, for self-control.  We develop a capacity for detachment.   It is not our appetites that control us as human beings, but we have the ability to say "no" to what looks good in order to pursue better and higher goals, and to put into practice what is best for us.  We also make time for God with fasting practices -- allowing ourselves for a time to pursue thoughts and occupy ourselves with other things besides preparation of elaborate meals, entertainment, and the various efforts and labor that contribute to what is on the table.  We learn that we are more than the food we eat, that there is "other food" that is necessary for full nurturing of what it means to be human.  But above all, the tradition or "exercise" of fasting is meant to help us understand that we can say no to sin.  (Ascetic discipline:  askesis literally means "exercise" or "training" in Greek.  Used for athletes and soldiers;  monastics traditionally are considered "spiritual athletes," training for spiritual goals.)   In fasting, the body becomes a means to learn mental discipline, to put into place the goals that spiritual life would teach.   We fast so that we learn we may fast from sin.   All of this is purely positive, our creation and the world purely good.  As such, in the Christian tradition, there is no food that is sinful to eat.   Rather, here Jesus tells us what the things are from which we can and should learn to abstain.   He lists "evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness."   Not only that, but the Teacher tells us yet another dimension of sin, and one which is extremely important.  These are not things, He tells us, that come from outside of us, but rather from the heart.   To be a spiritual athlete then, is to guard the heart -- to keep a good watch over one's heart, to keep in mind that there are things we don't necessarily see about ourselves, and to come to terms with the fact that our watchfulness and discipline are really about our own conduct and our willingness to know ourselves better.  In Jesus' loving teaching, this is not a condemnation.  Rather, real sinfulness comes from an unwillingness to change what we know is wrong, a determination to prefer evil, to prefer lack of discipline, to simply not care out of deliberate ignorance and selfishness.  One must repeatedly consciously nurture and choose these evil things Jesus describes to fall into a category of condemnation.  We are all susceptible to the things we learn from the world -- and to taking them into our own hearts.  But we have the choice to make a determination that we are not slaves to sin; we are human beings created by God in God's image, with a capacity for choice.  And there we come to the discipline of fasting as a tradition of Lent.  We fast so that we learn we may fast from sin.  We learn that we can transcend; we're not limited by our apparent appetites and options.  We in the modern world can learn a lot from the ancients; it may surprise you what powerful things fasting with the proper intention can do for one's consciousness.  Let us consider the goodness and love with which these traditions are given.  They are meant to bolster us, not condemn us.  We do the good we know and can do, and trust that we will be shown what more comes next, like athletes training for "the good fight."