Mtr Margaret Babcock
Jesus said… “Listen now, all of you—take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life; it’s what you vomit—that’s the real pollution…” He went on: “It’s what comes out of a person the pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart. There is your source of pollution.”
—Mark 7:15, 20-23 The Message
Dear Friends,
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Did you ever use this defensive chant when attacked on the schoolyard playground by bullies calling names and taunting? I remember shouting it defiantly… but I never really believed it. Mean words DID hurt and could leave me crying.
So, I was delighted that Jesus validates my childhood insight in the Gospel reading today. As the Pharisees attack him for not making his followers ritually wash their hands before eating, he asserts that nothing a person swallows endangers them. What we vomit out is the real pollution that harms everyone.
The disciples, raised in a religious tradition which forbids consuming certain foods, took him literally. Privately, they asked what he could mean. And so, Jesus teaches them about the power we have to create reality.
Just following rules doesn’t generate decent people or an honorable society. As the Pharisees in this passage prove, even holy laws can be twisted to serve cruel ends. The intention of our hearts, nurtured in our souls, puts into the world words and actions impacting all creation.
We see the results of intentions Jesus warns us about in the escalating violence around our country and planet. It’s the direct result of treating others as less than beloved children of God. Wait a minute, though—at least I’m not guilty of theft or murder! But what about obscenities lobbed in anger, gossiping behind a neighbor’s back, or the arrogance of assuming I’m always right? Each small vicious word or act increases the atmosphere of poison.
We have power to contribute to the pollution. But we also have power to lift up God’s healing Way. The challenge is threefold: first, we must not deny harm is being done (like I tried to in my childhood chant). To ignore evil does not negate it!
Second, we can refuse to vomit forth more immorality, even as a reaction to evil. We wish for an easy fix, but using the means of violence against those wielding it leads to the same ends as those we oppose.
Finally, we can learn to consciously intend love, under all conditions. It’s a hard path to follow, but this is what Jesus teaches us. We do have the power to work with God to heal the world—one loving word, one encouraging deed, at a time.
Blessings,
—Mtr Margaret
