GOSPEL READING: Mk 7:14-23
Jesus, once again, speaks a parable – a one sentence parable. To the people he always speaks in parables. In the parable he communicates something about defilement of persons. This parable has got some message about the religious practices of the times of Jesus. But it speaks about ‘inside’ and ‘outside’.
Purity rules are made specifically to make boundaries. These boundary rules deal with concerns of the society or a culture. Often these boundary rules get overstressed when a society is threatened by invasion or infiltration by another group. In short, these rules are to hold on to one’s own identity.
Jesus, by speaking about the kingdom, talks about new way of life. He is not concerned about defilement or identity. He is interested in all and his interests are shown in their spiritual life. His spirituality here is seen in fighting the evil. It is evil that defiles a person and contaminates him. So defilement comes from evil.
தீமைதான் ஒருவனை தீட்டுப்படுத்துகிறது. வெளியில் உள்ள பொருள்கள் ஒருவனை தீட்டுப்படுத்த முடியாது. மனிதனின் மனதில் இருந்து வரும் தீமை ஒருவனை தீட்டுப்படுத்தும்.
