I find it interesting and baffling how certain persons can be so particular about what is clean and what is unclean when it comes to certain matters, and yet remain clueless or indifferent when it comes to other matters. For example, such persons can be so particular about certain types of food that can be eaten, even to the point where certain commercial establishments have even gone to the extent of changing the name of a food item, just because the name of the food item appears to contain the name of a certain animal or a certain beverage which is supposingly unclean to certain groups. On the other hand, such persons seem clueless or indifferent when it comes to unjust deeds, corruption and other unfair practices which are happening around them.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is telling us that we should be more concerned about words and actions which comes out of us that makes us unclean, instead of being petty about what we eat or drink, or even the kind of name given to what we eat and drink. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that “It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.” Such words and actions which come out of us not only causes us to be unclean physically, such words and actions also affect us spiritually. Thus, let us open our eyes and hearts, and realise what really matters when it comes to cleanliness, and remain clean in the sight of God.