About today
Readings
Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8. The righteous will live in the presence of the Lord – Ps 14 (15): 2-5. James 1: 17-18, 21-22, 27.Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
True religion is of the mind – not just a matter of outward observance
Outward obeisance without conversion of heart is useless and, at worst, just hypocrisy. On the other hand, the spiritual heart will show itself in outward obedience; For our Lord, who told us that the Father is looking for those who worship in spirit and in truth, also said: ‘If you love me, keep my commandments. . . Do good . . quickly . . . pray . . . Give alms. ‘
We must therefore review our lives often to see that there is real harmony between our innermost hearts and our visible actions. And so, Lord Jesus, I pray with the psalmist: ‘Make a pure heart in me; and raise up the spirit that is in me ”- so that no evil comes from me and that nothing I do is only an appearance.
If, as St. James says, faith without works is dead, then works without faith are also dead things; they are lip service and not a heart turned to the Lord. Humanity is capable of as much good as it does terrible. The difference is whether we enthrone Christ in our hearts and live by His law, or enthrone ourselves and live of our own will.
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