Meditation for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Meditation for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses a critical issue regarding purity, using the example of His disciples eating with “impure” hands, which the Pharisees criticized. In Jewish tradition, these ritual washings were not about hygiene but about religious purification, aimed at maintaining spiritual cleanliness.

Jesus uses this moment to clarify two important points. First, no human tradition should ever override the Word of God. Traditions and practices may be beneficial, but they must never become more important than God’s commandments. Secondly, He condemns the hypocrisy of those who outwardly follow these rituals but neglect the more important matters of the heart.

Jesus reveals that true purity comes not from external actions but from the heart. He teaches that the source of impurity is within us—in our thoughts, desires, and actions. It’s not what enters from the outside that defiles us, but what comes from within. Our focus should be on the inner transformation that God desires, seeking a heart purified by His love and grace, rather than merely conforming to external rituals. Only with God’s help can we achieve this true inner purity.

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