Pentecost 15 (year B proper 17)- Mark 7:14-23

The Gospel for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost is from Mark 7:14-23 and continues last Sunday's selection about the ritual washing of hands before meals. In that discussion with the Pharisees, Jesus showed respect for the principles of divine Law but pointed out that the legalistic observance of human rules is not appropriate. 

In today's passage, our Lord goes further and makes a general pronouncement about the human condition. The basic problem that human beings have with God's Law is not external but internal. As Jesus says in Mark 7:15, "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man" (KJV). This saying refers to the fallen condition of humanity. There are outward circumstances that provide varied challenges, but the deepest problem is the corruption of our hearts, minds, and souls. Our disobedience of the commandments comes from within each of us. This is a very serious predicament, and man-made rules do not solve the human problem.

So what are we to do? The life and ministry of Jesus kept presenting the same basic solution that we see in Mark 1:15: "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Aware of our inner corruption, we are called to a life of repentance and faith in the redeeming message of Jesus Christ. We need to be open to God's inner renewal prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts." As the Apostle Paul exhorts in Romans 12:2, "...be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." For as long as we live in this world, our inner corruption remains a problem, but by grace, through faith in Christ, we can be renewed and grow in true obedience.

Pentecost 14 (year B proper 16)- Mark 7:1-13

For the past three weeks, the gospel readings have come from the Gospel according to John, but this week, we resume the series of readings from St. Mark. The Gospel from Mark 7:1-13 contrasts internal allegiance to divine Law with superficial or external interpretations of the Law and man-made rules. The immediate issue concerns the washing of hands. The Pharisees and legal scholars of Judea washed their hands before blessing and consuming food. This washing was not primarily for hygiene but for ceremonial religious reasons. Jesus' Galilean disciples were not careful about such matters. Since they did not follow all the strict rules, the Pharisees criticized the disciples of Jesus.

Our Lord saw through the legalism and hypocrisy of the supposedly pious. The legalists were judgmental about minor religious customs, but in reality, they themselves looked for loopholes to avoid some of the serious moral demands of the Law. For example, some Pharisees would dedicate possessions to religious uses so that they could avoid spending more on poor parents. By such practices, people emphasized human rules and claimed to follow the Law when in reality they were being selfish and ignoring the higher principles and intentions of divine Law. Of course, such tendencies were not confined to ancient Pharisees. All human beings are tempted by some types of selfishness, self-righteousness, and legalism. All human beings have similar weaknesses. We tend to seek our own convenience, justify ourselves, and condemn others. Thus, we all need forgiveness, a better understanding of divine commandments, and more openness to divine guidance. We all need to grow in grace and see how the Law is fulfilled in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Pentecost 13 (year B proper 15)- John 6:51-69

 The Gospel for this Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost is from John 6:51-69  and continues the recent discussions from John 6. This is the third consecutive selection where our Lord elaborates on His teaching: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven" (John 6:51 ESV). Some of His hearers at Capernaum are scandalized by this assertion. Some dislike the newness or the uniqueness of His claim. Others at Capernaum are too literalistic or materialistic. They interpret the teaching about feeding on Christ in Word and Sacrament in crude, cannibalistic terms (see Formula of Concord, Epitome, VII.6).

Some people, ancient and modern, have turned away from Jesus because of His unique claims. They have refused to come to Him and feed on Him. They have rejected His abiding presence in both Word and Sacrament. However, we must not be so stubborn. We must accept what He says. We must come in humble faith and feed on Him. As Simon Peter says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life..." (John 6:68 ESV). Only through Christ Himself, present in Word and Sacrament, can we receive the nourishment that we need to live in this world and the next!