And he said, "It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
˜ Mark 7:20-23
I have always considered this passage a perfect message for Lent. The Pharisees see Jesus' disciples eating with unwashed hands, and Jesus replies to their rebukes by quoting Isaiah and telling them, "You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition." Jesus is not just bashing the Laws of the Jewish people here and being disobedient. He is talking about hypocrisy.
There are so many times in my daily life when I wish that people I encounter would "act better" or "do the right thing." Jesus reminds me that I have no control over other people's words and actions. I can only control my own words and actions by setting healthy boundaries and responding thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. I sometimes fall back on my old pattern of "Well, he made me mad," or "She made me feel judged." But then I remember that no one can make me feel anything. My feelings are based on my own thoughts and perceptions of what enters my heart from the outside. Transforming my reactions into healthy responses is something that happens deep within.
Jesus reminds us to avoid the hypocrisy of following the Law in a superficial manner. He tells us instead to follow God's Law within our hearts and cleanse ourselves of inclinations toward destructive behaviors. The Pharisees' judgment of people who don't wash their hands is superficial compared to their uncharitable behavior. Many of Jesus' followers were probably poor or lacked access to ritual cleansing vessels and clean water. The Pharisees would have done far better to help the poor in front of them rather than condemning them for breaking the Law.
Reflect: What are some ways that you have learned to transform destructive reactions into charitable responses?
This Lenten Meditation can be found at Episcopal Relief and Development