what comes out make us unclean

Gospel

Mark 7:14-23

It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean

Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’

When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’

Reflection

Jesus shifts the focus from external rituals to the inner heart, declaring that true impurity comes not from what we consume but from what emerges within us. He lists sins like malice, deceit, and pride—all born from the human heart. This teaches that holiness is not about outward compliance but inward transformation. Our words and actions reveal the state of our souls, calling us to examine and cleanse our deepest intentions.

Question

What "evil intention" from within your own heart do you most need to acknowledge and bring to God for transformation today?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, turn my gaze inward. Cleanse my heart from all envy, pride, and deceit. Help me nurture thoughts and intentions that honor you, so what flows from my life may be pure and loving. Amen.

Comments

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