September 1, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“… lust, murder, deceit, envy, slander … All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)

The Pharisees and scribes were so hung up on ceremonial observances. They were way too preoccupied with washing of hands and unreasonably ridiculous adherence to Sabbath law. Jesus confronts them about their hypocrisy because while being that, on the other hand they neglected the weightier matters which are really what substantiates true holiness - justice, kindness and faithfulness.

The observance of ritual, ceremony and other pious practices is not wrong. However, if hatred, anger, unforgiveness, envy, slander, self-righteousness, and strife are what what's inside of us and are manifesting on the outside, what we have is form without power and without meaning. What we are in church on Sunday should consistently be translated into our conduct the rest of the week.