TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 8-30-09           TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

                                                           GOSPEL: MARK 7:1-8

“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

The Pharisees were right about one thing.  Jesus and the disciples should have washed their hands before eating. Several years ago many cruise ships were alarmed to find that hundreds of their passengers were suffering gastrointestinal illness.  In some ships more than 10 percent of the crew and passengers were sick.  Doctors urged frequent hand washing to prevent further outbreaks.  Today most ships have hand sanitizers at the entrances to their restaurants.

Jesus was right in pointing out that it is what comes out of us that really makes us unclean.  No amount of hand washing can cleanse an evil heart.

                                                                                    Deacon Dick Folger