A reading from the gospel according to Mark 7:14-23:

14 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.
15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
17 When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable.
18 He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
19 since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
20 “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
21 From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Reflection: From within

We may have heard of the saying “We are what we eat.” This is true only in terms of healthy living. Yet in the gospel reading above, Jesus tells us to be careful of what comes out from within, not what goes inside us. Previously, He scolded the religious leaders for being too meticulous about externalities such as washing hands before eating. Now He continues to teach us that food intake which is also external does not make us sinful. It is what comes from within us that makes us so.

The heart as mentioned by Jesus includes our conscience, thoughts, moods, and feelings. Our thoughts and feelings become our words and actions which then become our choices, attitudes and habits. If our heart is true and pure, it will reveal itself outwardly in our speech and behavior. On the other hand, our evil thoughts, as Jesus explained, can readily turn into the twelve evil acts namely: unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly.

It is necessary to do introspection regularly. Although we were made in the image and likeness of God, we are prone to harbor evil thoughts and the tendency to rebel. So what is in your heart? Do you have a heart of stone or a heart that is willing to accept the presence of God? With the help of the Holy Spirit, let us pray like the Psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Because we desire to be pure and holy, let us also pray like King David in Psalm 51 thus, “Create in me a clean heart, o God and renew a right spirit within me”.

*****

In the gospel reading above, Jesus addresses a crowd, highlighting a profound shift from traditional Jewish law to a focus on the condition of the heart. He emphasizes that it’s not what enters a person from the outside that defiles them, but what comes from within. This passage challenges the prevailing views on ritual purity, suggesting that moral and spiritual purity cannot be achieved through adherence to external rituals alone.

Jesus calls everyone to listen and understand that true defilement isn’t a matter of consuming unclean foods, as nothing external can defile a person by merely entering them. Instead, it’s the evils that emerge from within—such as theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly—that truly corrupt a person. These evils originate in the heart and have the power to defile an individual.

This teaching of Jesus marks a critical departure from Jewish dietary laws, indicating a deeper, more universal principle that concerns the ethics of the heart and mind. It underscores the belief that the essence of sin and purity is a matter of internal disposition rather than external compliance with ritualistic practices. By focusing on the heart’s condition, Jesus invites a reflection on the inner life and encourages personal integrity that aligns with God’s will.

With this passage, the message is clear: spiritual cleanliness and a relationship with God are not maintained by what one eats or the rituals one follows, but by the purity of one’s heart and the goodness that flows from it. This teaching invites everyone to examine his or her own heart and action, encouraging a transformation that prioritizes internal purity and moral integrity over mere outward observance.

*****

Jesus challenges a common misunderstanding among the religious leaders of His time. They believed that external rituals, such as washing hands before eating, determined a person’s purity before God. But Jesus made it clear that true defilement does not come from external things but from the heart. He listed sins such as evil thoughts, greed, envy, pride, and deceit, showing that what truly corrupts a person is what originates from within.

This teaching remains relevant today. Many people focus on outward appearances such as following traditions, maintaining a good reputation, or avoiding “unclean” influences. While it is important to be mindful of what we consume in media, relationships, and habits, Jesus reminds us that the real battle for purity is not external but internal. The condition of our hearts matters more than any ritual or outward action.

So, how can we guard our hearts and ensure that what flows out of us is pure?

1. Examine Our Thoughts and Intentions
Jesus pointed out that sin begins in the heart before it manifests in actions. Before a lie is spoken, deceit has taken root. Before hatred turns into violence, bitterness has been nurtured. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We must regularly examine our thoughts and motivations, surrendering them to God so that He can purify us.

2. Fill Our Hearts with God’s Word
What we store in our hearts will eventually come out in our words and actions. If we fill our hearts with negativity, resentment, or worldly influences, we will reflect those things in our lives. But if we meditate on God’s Word and allow His truth to shape us, our hearts will overflow with love, grace, and righteousness. Psalm 119:11 declares, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

3. Seek the Holy Spirit’s Transformation
True purity is not something we achieve by human effort alone. It comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, shaping our hearts to be more like Christ. When we invite God to transform our inner being, He replaces pride with humility, greed with generosity, and anger with peace. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”

4. Choose to Speak and Act with Love
Jesus emphasized that what comes out of a person defiles them. This includes our words, actions, and attitudes. James 3:10 reminds us that “out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” Let us choose to speak life, encourage others, and reflect Christ in our daily interactions.

May we always strive for inner purity, knowing that what truly pleases God is not external appearances but a heart transformed by His love and truth.