Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (NRSV)
Read Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 7Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, Verse 2they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. Verse 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; Verse 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) Verse 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" Verse 6He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
Verse 14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand: Verse 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile." Verse 21For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, Verse 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. Verse 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Devotion
That is quite a list of evil intentions in verses 21-23! Jesus shifts attention away from the dietary traditions and gets right to the heart of the matter: sinful human nature. All of the evils he mentions pertain to relationships. Jesus perceives that the Pharisees are making their traditions more important than the original covenant God made with the people of Israel. He says it is the daily rituals of right relationships that matter.
The traditions of the religious leaders oppress the powerless and marginalized of society. They are “unclean” by the standards of the Pharisees. How could poor people (including Jesus’ itinerant band of followers) even begin to follow the washing rituals? If religious folks are so concerned about holiness, then they should provide the means to feed, clothe, and house the poor. Then maybe they can talk about observing ritual practice as a way of honoring God.
Prayer
Cleanse our hearts, O God. Help us let go of the behaviors that disguise the fact that we are your beloved sons and daughters. Stir up your Spirit within us. Give us strength to live in the covenant of our baptism. Give us strength to live, to serve, and to strive for justice among all people. Amen.