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4. Unclean inside


August 4

Gospel
Matthew 15:1-2,10-14
Any plant my Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots

Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus and said, ‘Why do your disciples break away from the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat food.’ He called the people to him and said, ‘Listen, and understand. What goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean; it is what comes out of the mouth that makes him unclean.’
    Then the disciples came to him and said, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were shocked when they heard what you said?’ He replied, ‘Any plant my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them alone. They are blind men leading blind men; and if one blind man leads another, both will fall into a pit.’

Reflection:
In this Gospel, Jesus teaches that true purity does not come from external rituals but from the state of the heart. The Pharisees focus on outward traditions, while Jesus points to deeper spiritual truth—our words and actions reveal what is within us. He also warns against blindly following those who are spiritually misled. This passage calls us to examine our hearts honestly and to ensure that our lives are rooted in God’s truth, not merely in appearance or human approval.

Reflection Question:
What attitudes or words in my life might be revealing what is truly in my heart, and how can I invite God to purify it?

Short Prayer:
Lord, purify my heart and make me sincere before You. Help me not to focus only on outward appearances, but to grow in genuine love, truth, and humility. Guide me away from blindness and lead me always in Your light. Amen.

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