The contrast between the outside cleaning and inside cleaning

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23*

*First Reading - Dt 4:1-2, 6-8*

*SECOND READING - Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27*

*The contrast between the outside cleaning and inside cleaning*

*1) The Scribes and Pharisees speak about ourside cleaning*

They were learned men. Even then they speak only about out side or what appears to be dirty from outside 

They never thought that there are also other faculties of human being which often need the aspect of cleaning, inoder to live a peaceful life 

There are many examples in today's Gospel which only speak about the external cleanliness. They are the following 

*Washing of the Hands*:  This action speaks only about external cleaning 

*Purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds*

All these things once again highlight the external cleanliness, rather than internal cleanliness

*Washing after returning From Market Place*

Once again this also purely speaks about the external cleanliness, rather than internal cleanliness

*2) Jesus speaks about the internal Cleanliness*

Jesus speaks about the cleanliness of the Heart, than the Body

Cleanliness of the heart is necessary because, Jesus says *"From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”*

Cleansing of heart from these things is more important than cleansing of the cup, hands, jugs and kettles

*3)  Lips Vs Heart service*

Jesus also speaks about the lips service and praying from the heart 

Lips service is just like external purification, which has no much value 

Lips service is easy like external purification. 

But praying from the heart involves a internal faculties, which are to be pure 

Jesus needs a prayer from Heart, which is free from the above evils and not the lips service, which is nearly a hypocrisy

*4) Commandments of the Lord Vs Human Precepts*

Pharisees and Scribes gave more importance to the human precepts than the Lord's commandment. 

One is forced to follow human precepts, but didn't give much importance to the Lords commandment like justice, honesty, cleanliness of heart and mind 

Jesus highlights the commandment of the Lord and not the human precepts. He spoke about the Love commandment and not rules and regulations which enslave the human beings 

*5) Human Tradition Vs God's commandments*

Humans tradions enslaved people but God's commandments liberated people 

For scribes and Pharisees traditions of the elders were more important than the God's commandments. 

Jesus was much concerned about the God's commandments, which focused on the internal conversion rather than external hypocrisy

*6) External cleanliness is easy But internal cleanliness is hard*

To clean the cups, hands, jugs, and kettles is easy. But to purify ones heart, mind and lips is not easy 

External cleanliness can be done by any one. But internal purification can be done only by the self 

External cleanliness can be done with water, but for the internal cleaning one needs Gods grace and self determination

Am I giving more attention to external things than internal things? 

What is my understanding of internal purification? 

Do I feel that I need very often internal cleaning, rather than external cleaning?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*