Wednesday 8 February
Mark 7:14-23
In yesterday’s Gospel Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being more concerned with external actions and ritual cleanliness than with what is in the heart. In today’s passage he elaborates this point, teaching that what makes us unclean is not ritual impurity or eating the wrong foods, but the evils that come from our hearts.
When we read a list of vices like the one that Jesus gives here, we can become downhearted. If this is the state of our hearts, then what hope is there for us? But Jesus does not mean us to think that the human heart is wholly evil: the point is that we are all inclined to sin, and both good and evil impulses come out of our hearts. When we examine ourselves, we know that this is true and we can relate to the list of sins given by the Lord.
What is our reaction when we know that we have these evil drives within us? Do we despair of ourselves and become overwhelmed by shame and guilt? This is not what the Lord wants. He wants us to be aware of our sin but to know that there is a remedy. Because of his death on the cross and his resurrection we can come before him in repentance and be sure our sins are forgiven. More than this, we can receive a new heart and a new mind. This was promised by God in the Old Testament: ‘A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh’ (Ezek. 36:26).
In Jesus this promise is fulfilled. Through faith in him we are renewed in our hearts. God gives us his Spirit to live in us, to guide us and to strengthen us. We are no longer slaves trying to keep a difficult set of rules, but children of a loving Father. Jesus told the Jews that the root of evil is in our hearts, and this is why God has acted to change our innermost selves, to deliver us from the power of sin and set us free to love him and one another.
‘Lord, we beg you to take away our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. Cleanse us from sin and purify us so that we may truly love you with all our hearts.’
1 Kings 10:1-10 • Psalm 36(37):5-6, 30-31, 39-40
Mark 7:14-23
Daily Reflections
Subscribe to Bible Alive today, and read Daily Reflections wherever you are!
Shop Categories
Cards and Gifts New Books Spring Sale Summer Reading Walk With Me Faith Today Children's Books General Books Jewellery Bible Alive Catholic Today Exclusive Offers Christian Art and History Donations Papal Books Clearance Parish Ordering Subscriptions Religious Figures Music and DVDs L'Osservatore RomanoList All Products |
Shop Login
Product Search
Can't find a book?
Fill out our enquiry form to register interest in a particular Catholic/ Christian book.
Shopping Cart
Featured Products
 Bible Alive - UK Subscription
Price:
£22.50
|
 A5 Liturgical Diary 2012
Price:
£7.99
|
 What Good is God?
Price:
£12.99
|
 Jesus of Nazareth
Price:
£14.95
|
 Light of the World
Price:
£14.99
|
 Real Presence
Price:
£12.99
|
Top Sellers
Holy Cross Parcels
Make a difference by making a donation and buying a Holy Cross Parcel. Click here
Twitter and Facebook
Our Tweets
Alive Design – Wedding Stationery
Faith Today Trial Subscription
Try out Faith Today for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Faith Today this way and have been with us for years.
Trial Bible Alive Subscription
Try out Bible Alive for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Bible Alive this way and have been with us for years.
Walk With Me
Walk with Me is a prayer and scripture journey for the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter.
Catholic Today Newspaper
Catholic Today is the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Birmingham. With the latest Birmingham Catholic news and Catholic videocasts.
Christian Publications
Bible Alive - Subscription
Latest Catholic Articles
Daily Reflections
Bible Alive daily reflections are written in an accessible and warm style inviting you to penetrate and plumb the depths of the scripture reading of the day.
Latest Daily Bible ReflectionFree Catalogue
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Walk With Me Daily
Outreach Programmes
Since the beginning Alive Publishing has always had a desire to ‘reach out’ with our Catholic magazines, Catholic books, and other Christian resources.
