Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - Catholic Meditations

Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Mark 7:14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”[a]
17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, 19 since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. 21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Footnotes:
a. Mark 7:15 Other ancient authorities add verse 16, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen”
5th Week in Ordinary Time
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. (Mark 7:15)
In no uncertain terms, Jesus made it clear that the most serious spiritual challenge we face is our own heart. Wounded by sin, clouded by temptation, we are our own worst enemy. Even the desire to blame other people or our environment for our failings is something that comes “from within”!
So what is this “from within” that Jesus spoke about? To try to answer that, take a look at how you might respond to an unexpected event. What would you do if a friend suddenly started treating you harshly? What if your supervisor at work gave you a strong rebuke? Would you become defensive and cynical? Or would you try to make amends and seek reconciliation? How about trying to overcome a tendency to complain or criticize? Or maybe, as Pope Francis has urged, you might not just hand a poor person some food but look him in the eye and learn his name and a bit of his story.
There are many other examples, but the main point is to try to become more honest about the motives behind our actions, both bad and good. It can be tempting to shift the blame to external influences like the media, our often abrasive culture, or even “those people” who get on our nerves. But the reality is that everything we say or do arises from within our own heart. If our hearts change, it stands to reason that our actions will follow.
Spend some time with Jesus. Let him put his finger on just one trait he would like to work on with you. Is it kindness or humility? Patience or generosity? Gentleness or straightforwardness? Each of these is a manifestation of love. Each is a blessing that can “come out” of us more if we ask the Lord for help.
Jesus is eager to pour his grace into you so that you can become more like himself in this special corner of your heart. So open yourself to his love so that what comes “out from within” gives glory to him and helps build his kingdom on earth.
“Jesus, I offer you my heart. Let your love penetrate and transform its darkest corner.” Amen!
1 Kings 10: Visit of the Queen of Sheba
1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon (fame due to[a] the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba had observed all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his valets, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her.
6 So she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. Not even half had been told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard. 8 Happy are your wives![b] Happy are these your servants, who continually attend you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness.” 10 Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again did spices come in such quantity as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Footnotes:
a. 1 Kings 10:1 Meaning of Heb uncertain
b. 1 Kings 10:8 Gk Syr: Heb men
Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
    and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
    and their tongues speak justice.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
    their steps do not slip.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
    he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and rescues them;
    he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
    because they take refuge in him.
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