They noticed that some of his disciples were eating their meal with unclean hands, that is, without
washing them. Now the Pharisees, and in fact, all the Jews, never eat without washing their hands
for they follow the tradition received from their ancestors. Nor do they eat anything when they
come from the market without first washing themselves. And there are many other traditions they
observe, for example, the ritual washing of cups, pots and plates. So the Pharisees and the
teachers of the Law asked him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders, but
eat with unclean hands?” Jesus answered, “You, shallow people! How well Isaiah prophesied
of you when he wrote: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless, for what they teach are only human rules. You even put
aside the commandment of God to hold fast to human tradition.”Jesus then called the people
to him again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and try to understand. Nothing that enters
one from outside can make that person unclean. It is what comes out from within that makes him
unclean. For evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed,
maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly. All these evil things come
from within and make a person unclean.”

READ: The Pharisees and some teachers of the law gathered around Jesus. They observed
that Jesus’ disciples were eating with unclean hands. The Pharisees, being Jews, would not
eat without first washing their hands. Upon observing that Jesus’ disciples were eating with
unclean hands, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned why Jesus’ disciples
were not following the tradition of the elders. Jesus answered them by quoting the prophet
Isaiah on false worship, exposing their shallow understanding of God’s commandments.
It is not what enters a person that makes him/her unclean. What makes a person unclean
are the things that come out of him/her.

REFLECT: Yesterday we reflected on the challenge of not wasting our talents. There are
times when we are tempted to waste whatever God has given us. Moreover, there are also
times when we are misled to use them for self-serving purposes. Our talents are useless if
we do not use them well to serve others. Everything starts from within us, from having a
heart that truly cares. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were
focusing on the external things because evil desires had already resided in their hearts.
Jesus calls us to purity of heart. If our intentions are pure, the good use of our God-given
talents will naturally follow.

PRAY: Let us pray that we may have pure hearts.

ACT: Let us do a more serious examination of conscience and then let go of any ungodly
desires. Afterwards, let us do one concrete good act using our God-given talents.

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