Discipleship

Egg Salad…

A few weeks ago, as I was helping to set up bowls with vinegar, water, and dye tablets to color some hard boiled eggs, my daughter and son were discussing decorating ideas and opinions. Every year since they were around preschool age, they have helped with decorating Easter eggs. They started out just scribbling with crayons or putting stickers on eggs that had already been dyed, but over time they moved toward dying the eggs as well.

Over the years, it has been interesting to watch how each of them approach and go about dying and decorating, and the interactions that occur in the process. And while they have access to all the same tools and resources on the table, when completed, although we still have the same dozen of eggs that we started with, each egg has come to life in a different way.

Earlier today, as I opened a carton of eggs, I recalled the colorful eggs of Easter. It called to mind how engaged my son and daughter are, as are most people, when they can express themselves and participate in a way that is meaningful to them while remaining true to the heart of their beliefs, values, and traditions.

Perhaps that is what was so appealing to so many people in the early Church. There were twelve Apostles. They were not identical. They were not clones, nor were they trying to be. They had distinct personalities, gifts, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. They had disagreements, but when they remained focused on Jesus’ life and example, fixed on striving to be faithful to the will of God, and open to each other through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (in whatever direction it took them whether known or new), the Church evolved, there was room for all, and through the grace of God, the numbers grew exponentially.

In the end, we are all part of the same recipe… the same plan. It is time for our differences, to once again, through our shared belief, become our greatest strength.

The Glass Across the Way…

As I looked at the stained glass window across the hall, at first I took in its pattern and the colors in it. Then, it was interesting to notice the way the light came through it, and the way the different sections of glass distorted or hid what was on the other side. It was only at the base of the window that one could see pretty clearly, what was outside; and, I imagine, one who was outside could see in, too.

Oftentimes, situations, relationships, and interactions can be like looking through glass. They can range from those where the glass may seem impenetrable to those where the glass is transparent, with nothing to hide. Yet, even in those cases where the glass is very dark, light is still able to shine through it.

Look at Pilate, Herod, one of the criminals alongside Jesus, and the centurion (Luke 23:1-49). In the midst of all that was happening through the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, light was shed and truth was revealed to them. What did they do with it? What do we do with it?

This is what the Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is all about. In all moments, even in the moments when life seems darkest or situations seem impossible, there is still light with and within us, and where there is light, there is always a way… the Way.

The more we can allow ourselves to be transparent in our relationship with God, the more we shine, and the more we shine, the better we are able to see, and live, the Way.    

EPWindow

The elders of the people, chief priests and scribes,
arose and brought Jesus before Pilate.
They brought charges against him, saying,
“We found this man misleading our people;
he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar
and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.”
Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds,
“I find this man not guilty.”
But they were adamant and said,
“He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea,
from Galilee where he began even to here.”

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean;
and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction,
he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was very glad to see Jesus;
he had been wanting to see him for a long time,
for he had heard about him
and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.
He questioned him at length,
but he gave him no answer.
The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile,
stood by accusing him harshly.
Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him,
and after clothing him in resplendent garb,
he sent him back to Pilate.
Herod and Pilate became friends that very day,
even though they had been enemies formerly.
Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people
and said to them, “You brought this man to me
and accused him of inciting the people to revolt.
I have conducted my investigation in your presence
and have not found this man guilty
of the charges you have brought against him,
nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us.
So no capital crime has been committed by him.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But all together they shouted out,
“Away with this man!
Release Barabbas to us.”
— Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion
that had taken place in the city and for murder. —
Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,
but they continued their shouting,
“Crucify him!  Crucify him!”
Pilate addressed them a third time,
“What evil has this man done?
I found him guilty of no capital crime.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”
With loud shouts, however,
they persisted in calling for his crucifixion,
and their voices prevailed.
The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted.
So he released the man who had been imprisoned
for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked,
and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away
they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian,
who was coming in from the country;
and after laying the cross on him,
they made him carry it behind Jesus.
A large crowd of people followed Jesus,
including many women who mourned and lamented him.
Jesus turned to them and said,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me;
weep instead for yourselves and for your children
for indeed, the days are coming when people will say,
‘Blessed are the barren,
the wombs that never bore
and the breasts that never nursed.’
At that time people will say to the mountains,
‘Fall upon us!’
and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’
for if these things are done when the wood is green
what will happen when it is dry?”
Now two others, both criminals,
were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull,
they crucified him and the criminals there,
one on his right, the other on his left.
Then Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
They divided his garments by casting lots.
The people stood by and watched;
the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon
because of an eclipse of the sun.
Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”;
and when he had said this he breathed his last.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said,
“This man was innocent beyond doubt.”
When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle
saw what had happened,
they returned home beating their breasts;
but all his acquaintances stood at a distance,
including the women who had followed him from Galilee
and saw these events. – Luke 23:1-49

Awaken to the Light…

A few nights ago I had fallen asleep while other household members were still up and about. Suddenly though, I was awake again. Someone had turned on the hallway light, which extended its reach into the room where I was sleeping. And while the light was rather intrusive that night, more often than not, the light is exactly what we need.

According to the Gospel of Luke, Peter, John, and James accompanied Jesus up the mountain to pray, but at some point, the three disciples were “overcome by sleep” (Luke 9:32). During their sleep, Jesus is not only joined by the prophets Moses and Elijah, engaging in discussion with them, but also becomes transfigured, his appearance changing and his clothing giving off great light.

Peter, John and James, awoken seemingly by the intense light, witness Jesus’ transfiguration and the presence of the prophets alongside him. This is shortly followed by a cloud that envelops them, creating both darkness and fear. Yet it was in this cloud and undoubtedly their confusion about what was going on, that God speaks to them, shedding light by revealing the truth as well as providing instruction—“This is my chosen Son; listen to him” (Luke 9:35).   

While the disciples cannot account for what happened while they were sleeping, now that they are awake they do have a responsibility with regards to what they had witnessed. At the time appointed by Jesus (Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9), they will give voice to what they saw and experienced that day on the mountain.

As we go through life, we all have moments where we experience or witness the glory of God. We also have moments where we witness the opposite of that. Whichever it may be, we are always called to testify and give witness to the truth.

The Light always wakes us up, but it is up to us how we respond.

ThePath_Akiane
In order to choose the right path we do not have to figure out the wrong one— we just need to follow the light. – The Path by Akiane Kramarik

Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.  – Luke 9:28B-36

Rock the Boat…

On a big lake, slouched down at one end of a small canoe-like boat, the joy of my childhood anticipation and enthusiasm at the opportunity for me and one of my sisters to accompany a relative who was going fishing had been rapidly replaced by shaky nerves almost immediately upon embarking from the shore. I was 9 or 10 years old at the time, and although it was so long ago, I vividly remember the experience.

It was early one muggy summer evening and, outside of bugs sporadically buzzing around, there seemed to be no movement in the air. The area around the lake was blanketed in the browns and greens of the many trees that encircled it. The sky seemed as if being slowing drained of its light as the day progressed toward an end. And the lake, when glancing across to the other side, seemed as still as the air.

I could not fathom why the boat was rocking and swaying the way it was when there seemed to be so much at rest around it. I remember feeling like I could not wait to get back to land. My relative was standing and fishing, and my sister was sitting more upright than I. She was searching for any signs of life on and in the water. As she described what she saw over the edge of the boat, I would periodically straighten up enough to get a brief glimpse of what she was talking about before sliding back down into what seemed a safer position.

Then, at one point my sister excitedly said, “Look at that!” To which I reacted, without thought. I sat upright and both of us looked and leaned in the same direction, shifting the weight inside the boat. Luckily the boat did not tip, but the incident did provide a heart racing moment for all of us in the boat, and undoubtedly for the inhabitants of the water in close proximity to it.

As much of a jolt as the experience of almost tipping the boat was, it was also life-altering for the better. The rock and sway of the boat, that had been almost unbearable from the time we had departed from the shore, somehow was not so bothersome any more. And it was as if the fear of being anything other than tucked in or sheltered inside the boat, was tossed out, during those uncertain moments of rapidly rocking back and forth from the sudden shift of weight.

From that point onward, my sister and I both sat upright, together. Taking in, talking, sharing, and discovering the wonder of all that was over the edge of the boat, and all around us.  The time passed and as it began to get darker outside, we returned to the shoreline, made our way back to the car, and eventually home.

My sister and I did not have our own nets, fishing line, rods, and bait, as we sat in the boat, on the lake, fishing that day. However, we had all we needed—we had each other, and we had God. In a time when there are great efforts being made to “Fish for people” (or to evangelize), sometimes, it’s a matter of rocking the boat, in order to wake up and find the fish.

RockTheBoat

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him. – Luke 5:1-11

The Sting of Things…

One Sunday afternoon, during a childhood visit with family, I was stung by a bee. I was around 5 or 6 at the time and vividly recall being in the backyard of my aunt and uncle’s home with some of my siblings and cousins. It was a hot, sunny day. I do not remember what we were playing, but we had been running around the yard. Then at one point, we stopped playing and were standing in the shade. We were under the cover of the lowest branches of a humongous tree, when suddenly I felt an intense, sharp jab in my leg.  

I had flicked the bee away, but I could see the stinger was still there as I headed into the house where the adults were. It was very painful, but after the stinger was removed and some mud was applied to the area, the pain started to subside. I remember how cool and soothing the mud felt and how surprised I was to learn that mud was an old time “remedy” for putting an end to the sting.

As we go through life, none of us escape the sting of things that go awry. Whether through our own words or deeds or those of others—or lack thereof—there is not a single person who walks the earth without feeling stung at some points along the way. And sometimes, the sting may strike with such intensity that it can seem like there is no mud for such a sting… no remedy to be found. It is just at those moments though, that we must remember, our job is to simply fill the jars with water (that is, to be true to oneself and who God created you to be), and trust Jesus to turn the water into wine.

stainedglasscross

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told the them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him. – John 2:1-11

The Spirit of…

Throughout the year, all around the world, people of all backgrounds prepare for various holidays, Holy days, and the festivities associated with them. There are many cultural as well as familial traditions. Among the countless possibilities, the fact remains that most people have their own ideas and preferences for what a holiday “should” be. Whether inherited and passed along as they were from their beginnings—with no change, put into practice with some variation of what came before, or created in an entirely new and different way, oftentimes we establish routines and even deadlines for the tasks that have become part of our preparation for a special day.

Yet, plan as we may, preparing the way can end up looking very different from what one may have set out to do, may have pictured, or expected from the image of years passed. Frequently though the places where there seems to be missteps, no time, no room, or where we may least expect something good, are exactly the places where we are apt encounter the gift of God’s grace. That is often the beauty and the blessing of holidays, Holy days, and the events that surround them. In our attempts to make them special and meaningful in our own ways, we often look up and around a little more, changing our ordinary routines just enough that we also, perhaps unknowingly, open ourselves and our environment up to more of the Extraordinary—the Divine.

When it is all said and done, it is not so much what we do that makes these days special, but rather what is behind our words and actions and the ways in which we are inspired to say and do them. As the holidays, Holy days, and festivities continue to arrive, embrace the “the splendor of glory from God” (Baruch 5:1). Live from it, allowing it to flow through you into the moments of each and every day, spreading peace, love, and joy wherever you may go; providing comfort, strength, restoration and healing wherever it is needed; and building and bridging relationships all around. In this Spirit, may we receive whomever and whatever may come as we are, that is blessed with the splendor of God’s glory.

Dove

The Point of Letting Go…

“The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry…” (1 Kings 17:16). Why? Because the Lord ordained it to be so.

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
“Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.”
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
“Please bring along a bit of bread.”
She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
‘The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'”
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

– 1 Kings 17:10-16

God sent Elijah to the widow and her son during a period of famine. God’s plan, always, is to provide sustenance for those who are receptive to it. Oftentimes in order to receive the grace that God has in store, one must let go of something that is “other.” More often than not, it involves changing; adjusting, fine-tuning, or altogether shedding that which we may have resigned ourselves to holding onto.

Certainly, it would have been easy as well as justifiable for the widow at Zarephath to hold onto the last of her flour and oil rather than to share any portion of it with Elijah, the stranger in her midst. At first, it seems to be her intention to do just that. However, she listens to the prophet’s words and trusts the way in which they resonate with her.

Although the prophet, and the widow and her son are different, the same God leads each of them. It is in cooperation with God that they recognize this in each other, and in doing so, become one with the grace waiting to be bestowed upon them.

God calls and sends Elijah to a new place. The same God helps the widow to let go of what little she has, instead of clinging to it, and to trust that it will be enough for all… and it is.

YellowFall2

More than You and Me…

Any unity which does not have its origin in the multitudes is tyranny. – Blaise Pascal

It can be wonderful how a sense of togetherness can propel us to new heights. Unity bridges the gap, closing the chasm that can be created by differences of any kind. Oftentimes, the joy that accompanies unity helps in continuing on the path toward the wisdom and knowledge of what to let go of and how to rise above all that may stand in the way.

In the book, Confession, Leo Tolstoy wrote, “I understood, not with my intellect but with my whole being, that no theories of the rationality of existence or of progress could justify such an act; I realized that even if all the people in the world from the day of creation found this to be necessary according to whatever theory, I knew that it was not necessary and that it was wrong. Therefore, my judgments must be based-on what is right and necessary and not on what people say and do; I must judge not according to progress but according to my own heart.” This statement was written about an execution that the author had witnessed in the mid-1800s, but the insight it shares, is timeless.

Oftentimes, the intentions of those in charge or a group united in purpose can be mistaken for unity. However, unity is both powerful and healing in all directions, not just on one side. It is not the child of negotiation or compromise to reach agreement, but rather embodies a spirit of choosing right doing whatever that might entail. By oneself or in self-interest… without God, unity simply cannot be.

Standing together is fine, but standing in unity is best.

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

– Mark 10:42-45

OnFire

 

Before (and with) the Lord…

A good amount of each day is spent traveling from one spot to another. Sometimes the distance is short—a few steps here or there—and sometimes it is longer. For sure, there is a lot of physical movement by each of us as well as around us throughout any given day. Add to this the movements that occur within that are not “physical,” such as a change of heart, a new or different perspective, and so on.

In Psalm 116, the psalmist writes, “I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living” (verse 9). Notice how the psalmist does not write, “I shall run before the Lord,” “I shall stand before the Lord,” or “I shall sit before the Lord.” The psalmist uses the word, “walk.”

“I shall walk before the Lord.” It is intentional, measured, and purposeful, as if to say, “As I go about my way in this life, I will move with meaning, ever mindful of the Lord’s presence.” A tall order, yes, but not impossible one step… one moment at a time.

The journey is meant to be something that is striven for, without succumbing to a notion or drive toward perfection. Mistakes and mishaps, trials and tribulations are par for the course, and the more one can acknowledge and look to learn from them, the less distraction they will cause while walking through them. More than anything, it is about a heart that is open and willing, filled with desire for constant contact and union with the Lord, while in the land of the “living.”

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8, verses 27-35, Jesus asks his disciples about who they believe him to be. Peter immediately answers, “You are the Messiah.” Peter knows and believes in Jesus as the Savior, but he, like the others, does not know what that really means. When Jesus then tells them that he will be beaten and killed, and about his resurrection, Peter responds just as fervently as he did when professing Jesus as the Messiah. However, where Peter says to the Lord, “Yes!” loud and clear, now when Jesus tells him something that is unexpected, unpleasant, and most likely the exact opposite of what he has envisioned or hoped for, Peter says to the Lord, “No!” loud and clear. While his passion may be the same, in that moment, he loses sight of the Lord and with that, his response moves away from being intentional, measured, and purposeful. Jesus recognizes this immediately and responds, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

As Peter continues striving to walk with the Lord both before and after the death and resurrection of Jesus, he learns as he moves and grows in trust, wisdom, and understanding. We, also disciples, are called to move in the same way… and we can, too.

How do I walk not only before the Lord, but also with and in the Lord as I go about each day… each moment?

We must not mind insulting men, if by respecting them we offend God. – Saint John Chrysostom

BiddefordPoolSunset

Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.” – Mark 8:27-35

Bigger than the Shadows…

Observing the valley and the mountain across the way from the top of a ridgeline, the magnificence of the landscape, despite shadows cast by some of the clouds, was undeniable. We found ourselves in awe of the vastness and beauty all around us. It was so much so, that neither the clouds nor the fog that rolled in or the passing rain shower could dull our spirits or lessen the sense of appreciation and joy in our hearts. Recalling the experience, if I had to name it or add a caption, it would simply be, “The Glory of God: Always Bigger than the Shadows.” How true.

In the Gospel of Mark, the Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands” (Mark 7:5)? Jesus sees the shadows for what they are and responds by shedding light and guiding people to Truth.

As Jesus replies to the Pharisees and scribes, he tells them, “You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things” (Mark 7:13). Then he turns his attention back to the people. It is written, “He summoned the crowd again and said to them, ‘Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.’”

While the shadows may attempt to obscure or distort the view, the truth is always revealed to those whose hearts honestly desire and work to see and live within Truth, as they make their way.

“God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good, and by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured.” (Collect for September 2, 2018)

Shadow

Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.

(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles [and beds].)

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”

He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
In vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.’

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!

For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’

Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.

You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable.

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, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

“But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” – Mark 7:1-23