Mark 7:14-23

Today the evangelist Mark speaks to us of Jesus' teaching about what defiles the person: evils that comes from within the heart.

Today's gospel is a continuation of yesterday's text, when the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law accused Jesus' disciples of being unclean because they had not washed their hands before eating.

The Jews believed and taught that some foods were unclean - such as pork - and that it would make the person who ate them unclean. But Jesus declared - first to the crowd and then to His disciples - that all foods are clean, saying that it is what comes from within man that defiles him.

Then the evangelist Mark presents a list of the evils that come from within the human heart: evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

That is why, when we speak of fasting, more important than depriving ourselves of food or drink - which are not bad in themselves - is to renounce our evils, sins and mistakes. This is what pleases God and makes us pure and holy people, attracting blessings and graces to us.

But it is not bad for our physical health to reduce to a minimum the consumption of salt, sugar, fat and alcohol. Although they are not unclean in themselves, in excess, they intoxicate our body which, as we know, is a temple inhabited by the Holy Spirit. In order to serve God well, we need a healthy body. Those who have self-esteem take good care of their own bodies.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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