How healthy are you? The condition of our heart is one way our health is measured; Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. The reading from Mark 7:1 -23 ends rather abruptly telling us that it isn’t what we put in our mouths that defiles us – it’s what comes out of our mouths. This isn’t a blanket permission for us to overeat or to eat foods or imbibe in things that really are unhealthy for us. It’s about taking care to do a self evaluation of our own attitudes towards other people before judging outward actions and over adherence to tradition.
Take a look at the list of actions and attitudes – I’ll list them alphabetically for us –
adultery
avarice
deceit
envy
folly
fornication
licentiousness
murder
pride
slander
theft
wickedness
Sometimes we get so caught up in traditions and doctrines that we forget about the things that really matter to God. We forget that all those evil intentions culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. If any of us think we don’t suffer from at least one problem on this list Jesus says we are deceiving ourselves . . .
We need the help of the Holy Spirit to cleanse our hearts moment by moment . . . . When it comes to mental, emotional and spiritual health – it’s good to remember that what we put into our minds and the minds of others affects the health of our heart.
God please help us – Lord, please forgive us – Send us your Holy Spirit. AMEN
Praying Our Way Through Stress 