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Vocation Meditation -
August 30, 2009
Gospel: Mark 7: 5-7, 14-15
The Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" Jesus replied quoting from the prophet Isaiah: "This people honors me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."
Then Jesus called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile them, but the things that come out of a person are what defile."
Second Reading: James 1: 17, 27
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Personal Reflection
How can I keep a pure heart throughout my daily activities? By keeping my focus on Christ to guide me, as well as be my companion, I can easily turn to Him and ask His help to make positive choices in my words and actions when I am tempted to do otherwise. Let our daily journey always be together with Him.
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.