Is there more to our lives than just the routines and rules of our jobs? Of our responsibilities at home?
Is there more to being Church than sitting through liturgy?
External Ritual (Mark 7:1-5)
“Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders?”
The religious leaders of the day are asking Jesus why he does not keep all of the traditions and rituals.
External tradition, rituals, or rules are necessary in any and all forms of organization and community life. But, if we are to live more meaningful lives, there has to be more than just the “rules.”
The “Disconnect”
“this people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (v.6)
Jesus contrasts the disconnect between the external life and the inner life, and challenges us to give priority to what is going on inside of us.
The call to LEARN the way of Jesus
“hear me all of you, and understand…” (v.14)
In order to develop a spiritual life, and for it to mature in such a way that our “outer lives” will flow more naturally out of our spiritual lives, we need to learn to understand the way of life that Jesus is teaching us through practices like Bible study, Christian education programs, worship, the practice of meditation, serving the needs of others.
THESE SPIRITUAL PRACTICES SHAPE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS.
What is “within” is what defiles
“Nothing that enters one from the outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” (v.15)
Attitudes, words, and behaviours are reflections of what is going on inside of us. “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts….and they defile.” (v.21)
The inner life, spiritual life, is the life of our THOUGHTS!
The Lord is calling us to learn to get a handle on our thoughts!
Christian life is firstly a commitment to the inner, spiritual life.
An inner life that is directed by the Spirit of God.
An inner life that is filled with freedom and love.
An inner life that reflects itself in lives that are compassionate, merciful, filled with joy, peace and love.
An inner life that reflects Jesus Christ in what we think, what we say and what we do.
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