Cleansing of the Heart

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Second Week : Sunday*

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

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

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5*

*Second Reading : Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27*

*Cleansing of the Heart*

*1) Jews speak about cleansing of the Hands*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the controversy of cleanliness, before taking food 

According to Jews, washing of the hands, purifying oneself after the return from market, cleaning of the cups and vessels are very important 

They gave more importance to the external cleanliness and traditions of the elders 

*2) Jesus speaks about internal cleanliness*

While answering the questions of Jews about washing of the hands and the importance of external cleanliness, Jesus tells them about the internal cleanliness 

The worth of the person does not depend only on the external cleanliness, but it depends on the internal cleanliness

Here the internal cleanliness Jesus means the cleanliness of the heart, which is very important 

*3) The cleanliness of the Heart*

Heart is the centre of human being 

If the heart is clean then the person is clean 

If the heart is not clean, then nothing is clean 

That's why Jesus says, whatever is found in the heart, same thing comes out 

If the heart is filled with, evil things like, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly, the same things come out 

*4) The True nature of the heart*

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

This is the true nature of the heart. That's why one has to check ones heart very often and needs to clean it with proper things  

*5) Cleansing of the Heart*

This is the most important as well as most challenging things in our life 

Washing of hands, purifying oneself and washing of cup is very easy. But to clean the heart is not possible 

External cleaning can be done with the help of others and other things 

But internal cleaning can be done only by the person, with the help of God 

*6) Cleansing of the Heart and needed things*

There is no question whether one needs the cleansing of the heart or not. The question is how to clean the heart 

There are number of ways which help us to clean the heart 

Sacrament of reconciliation

Sacrament of Eucharist

Sacramental adoration

Reading of the Scriptures 

Examination of the conscience

Fasting 

Praying without ceasing

Praying Rosary 

Observing the ten commandments

All these are very powerful spiritual aids to clean our heart 

Onec the heart is clean the whole perspective of our life changes 

Unless we clean our heart, nothing extraordinary happens in our life 

 Am I ready to clean my heart?  

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*