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)

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