What Defiles?
In this week’s Gospel Mark 7: 1-23, Jesus makes a profound statement ‘There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him’.
The concept of ‘defilement’ held significant religious and cultural weight for the Jewish people. It was rooted in the their understanding of purity, which was central to their relationship with God and their observance of the Law.
It had spiritual, social, and cultural implications. It affected one's relationship with God, one's standing within the community, and was deeply intertwined with their identity. Jesus’ reinterpretation of defilement challenged these traditional views and emphasized inner purity over external rituals.
His words are important for us, even today. So often, modern society brands certain people as ‘defiled.’ I think of ethnic, religious, and migrant ‘defilement,’ where individuals or groups are marginalized, excluded, or judged based on perceived differences or external characteristics.
Just as Jesus taught that true defilement comes from within, we are reminded that the worth of a person is not determined by outward appearances or labels, but by the content of their character and the purity of their heart. In a world that often divides and categorizes, embracing this understanding calls us to challenge prejudice and extend compassion, recognizing the inherent dignity in every person.
As a member of our prayer group shared, ‘the pharisaic attitude of others being defiled, and we pure is very much alive today.’ Whenever we judge others as being less worthy, we are effectively labeling them as ‘defiled,’ placing ourselves in a position of self-righteousness. This attitude not only distances us from the humility and compassion that Jesus calls us to embody but also puts us at risk of defiling ourselves in the light of His teaching.
Jesus warned that it is not external factors that defile a person, but the judgmental and unloving thoughts and actions that come from within. Therefore, when we adopt a mindset of superiority or condemnation, we are not upholding purity; rather, we are tarnishing our own souls with the very defilement we project onto others.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us, ‘Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.’ In light of today’s teaching, we can better understand the profound power of this beatitude. Real purity is not about outward appearances or rigid adherence to rituals; it is the purity of the heart—a heart free from judgment, malice, and pride.
When our hearts are pure, we are able to see God more clearly, not just in the spiritual sense, but in the world around us, in others, and in our daily interactions. This inner purity draws us closer to God and opens our eyes to His presence in all things.
As we reflect on today’s teaching, let us strive to cultivate hearts that are pure, filled with love, humility, and compassion. May our hearts be purified from any defilement that separates us from God and from one another.
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