“It is what comes out of a person that makes him unclean.” (Mk 7:20)

 “It is what comes out of a person that makes him unclean.” (Mk 7:20) 

Today’s Passages: Mk 7:14-23; Gen 2:4b-9, 15-17

Meditation: We are celebrating today the feast of our Lady of Lourdes and the verse taken today for meditation is about the uncleanness. Therefore, on the one hand, I was thinking that how this verse is connected to the life and message of Mary, the Immaculate Lady. On the other hand, as we observe today as the World day of the Sick, I also thought of finding some connection with health or the sick people. However, came the thought that if it is about mother Mary, why about this impurity?

I prayed to mamma Mary herself and at once came the response to my question. Then I realized that the verse has to be understood in another way if I wish to connect it with Mary. We know the context that Jesus was answering to the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law in connection with their question as to why his disciples do not wash their hands before having meals. Therefore, it is naturally about dirtiness or uncleanness that they intended. Jesus’ answer should be then so: “It is what comes out of a person that makes him unclean.” (Mk 7:20)

If we take this verse in connection with mother Mary, of course, I hope, it will be its other side: “It is what comes out of a person that makes him (un) clean.” (Mk 7:20) It unveils then her identity. Paul in Gal 5:16-25 plainly speaks about this narrating the human nature and the nature of the spirit. He tells us, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.” (Gal 5:24)

Mother Mary’s life was totally filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, she was abundantly blessed with “the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.” (Gal 5:22) At the announcement of the birth of Jesus, the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28) Since she was filled with the fruits of the spirit, whatever came from her proved herself pure.

She responded to God’s announcement with complete obedience saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it happen to me as you have said.” (Lk 1:38) Moreover, she led also others to obey Jesus by saying. “Do whatever he tells you!” (Jn 2:5) There are many examples of Mary where she is joyful, loving, patient, kind, faithful etc. Therefore, we can say that what came out of Mary proved her pure and clean. Let us be proud of this immaculate mamma!

We are also given the same Holy Spirit in our lives. The second reading says, “Then the Lord God formed man, of dust drawn from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7) On this feast day of our mother, let us surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit, to be led by the Spirit, and become pure and clean. “God did not call us to live in immorality, but in holiness.” (1 Thes 4:7) 

        

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. O God, we give you thanks and praise for the great gift of mamma Mary. May we lead a life of purity and sanctity and prove ourselves her worthy children in our daily lives. We ask for this grace through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Wish you a blissful Wednesday!