Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

The Pharisees and the scribes often had quarrels with the disciples about the

right way to do things. The disagreement before us this morning, as recorded

in Mark's Gospel, is about the handling of food. The Jews had developed a

whole set of rules about the use of pots and pans and other cooking utensils

that included the proper way to touch food in the preparation of a meal.

These rituals had kept them healthy and together during the long period of

exile. As the religious authorities strove to keep their culture intact, they

realized that custom and ritual meant their very survival.

Apparently, the disciples were eating with defiled hands; that is, without

washing them. When the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Why do your disciples not live

according to the tradition of their elders?" he answers in a way that, while

not intended as disrespectful, calls their attention to an even earlier

tradition that seems to be in conflict with present belief and practice. 

Quoting the great prophet Isaiah, Jesus makes clear that one can easily tell

a real "hypocrite" from a true "culture-keeper" for God's traditions live in

the hearts of men. Therefore, traditions that are kept only with ones lips

and not with ones heart do not honor God. According to Isaiah, at least,

inner observance is always more important than outer observance. 

Jesus emphasizes this point with the crowd by saying:

"Nothing outside can defile; it is what is inside that defiles a person."

The word defile, as used here, is significant. When food laws were not kept,

the Jews feared they, became impure. By contrasting inner and outer purity,

Jesus makes the point, once more, that things from outside, be it food or

anything else, cannot defile; true defilement only comes from within.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus made this same point---that "the inner" is

always a better measurement of faith than "the outer." As important as that

which we DO may be, it will never be as important as that which we feel. As

Christians, we are, in large part, what we have become because of the

strength of our inner feelings.

What then is SPIRIT---the spirit that is within us? Where does it come from?

Spirit is inner strength; it is not physical or mental strength.

    Spirit keeps us from being afraid or even worrying in the face

of events that make us anxious and afraid.

The spiritual strength of the inner self has great power. It is what

"religious folk" and even some "scientific folks" believe keeps us going. 

For instance, relative to the text before us, both religion and science might

accept. . .

   

        . . . that worry is a form of inner defilement---and,

        . . . that calm is a form of inner strength.

Most everyone here today knows how much Sally and I love animals---all

animals---especially our old dog Culley and our young cat Calley. I believe I

have mentioned before that I have had a sign on my study door for years that

reads: 

"Please God make me the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

I happen to believe that animals have their spiritual side---if not an actual

 "soul." Now, don't go and report me to the Bishop. I said, "I believe that

animals have a spiritual side---if not an actual  'soul'." I'm not so sure

you could find a scientist who would 'buy into that' or, for that matter,

find a theologian, valuing his reputation, who would agree. But, I am

convinced, beyond a shadow of doubt, that animals have at very least the

inner strength---the inner peace, purity, and goodness we humans strive for

life-long. And, dogs seem to have it all in large amounts, particularly when

they are very sick and near the end of their lives. 

Frankly, I would like to be able to grow the kind of inner peace, purity and

goodness---the very "spirit" Culley seems to possess, for the better part of

his worse days, in his old age. A little over a year ago, I cut out and saved

for a sermon like this, a terrific Ann Landers' column:

 

If you can start the day without caffeine, end the day without alcohol, and

fall  fast asleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours

 and those you love take it out on you,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,

If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against

 creed, color, religion or politics,

Then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog.(Ann Landers, 3/20/99).

Jesus redefines what it means to be holy, righteous, and good---and, at the

same time, to be spiritual.  Holiness, righteousness, goodness and

spirituality are never defined just by what we do, but by who we are and what

we are becoming.

One need not do unkindness to be unkind.

One need not do injustice to be unjust.

One need not do slander to be slanderous.

Acts of unkindness, injustice and slander come from hearts that are unkind,

unjust and slanderous; the one gives birth to the other. I have heard it said

this way:

"Acts of human hands are linked to the character of the human heart."

It would seem that a sure-fire way to create a well-behaved society would be

to install cam recorders everywhere. I am told that if they are not

everywhere right now, they soon will be. But, if its true that outward

behavior doesn't necessarily reflect inward character, what might we expect

of each other when the cameras are missing or not rolling? We're more likely

to drop the role we've been playing and just "be ourselves." And that's what

we call character! Character is the reflection of who we are when no one is

looking.

No doubt most of us are playing to the wrong camera. In this regard Jesus

might add:

      "Just about everyone may be watching your outward behavior,

but it is God who sees what is in your heart."

Hey! That's my mother talking! That's what Mother said when I started

kindergarten, junior high and high school; when I went off to college, the

navy and seminary; when Sally and I were developing Lord of Life Church from

scratch and when we left Darien to come here to Lake Forest and St. James.

Mother would say:

      "Remember Tony, just about everyone may be watching your outward

behavior, but it is God who sees what is in your heart."

The words Jesus spoke were actually:

      "Listen to me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a

person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what

defile." (Mark 7:15)

. . .  and my mother was listening!

Yes, what we do matters---of course it does! But, where that doing comes from

matters more. What's its source? When "Heaven's camcorder" starts rolling,

and God takes a look at your inner self, what's he going to see? We may think

we can get away with appearance-based virtual morality, and that no one will

be the wiser. We might fool family and friends. But, God is---or should I

say, God has the ultimate camcorder pointed in the direction of our soul!

We are really talking about redemption, aren't we. "Redemption" means living

beyond "outward appearances" and turning toward the holy places deep within

our souls. God, in and through Jesus the Christ, redeemed the lives of all

with whom he ate and drank, even outcasts. And, the sign he offered as a

witness to such dining was and is the eating and drinking of Holy Communion.

His table is set and waiting for us. Eat and drink for the forgiveness of

sins and the strengthening of your faith unto eternal life.  Amen.