Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Meditatio (Reflecting)

It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.

Oratio (Responding)

The jewish leaders had a crazy amount of laws regarding cleanliness. But all of the laws related to defilement. Meaning something from the outside of the body touching the your body. Be it blood, or feces, or another sick person. If you came in contact with these things and many others you suddenly became unclean. Jesus clearly did not believe this. Cleanliness is obviously important for avoiding disease, but to be truly unclean (in gods eyes) you must be defiled, on the inside. If you think disgusting things, if you pursue evil ends, if you say terrible things, that is what makes you truly unclean. And the only way to wash away these defilements is to seek gods forgiveness, and thus change yourself from the inside out. This is why Jesus always said to the sick and unclean people that came to Jesus for healing, that their sins are forgiven. He tended to the state of their soul first, and the disposition of their heart first, and only after they were healed and cleaned on the inside did he then tend to their physical ailments. It is still the same today, and we must go to confession to get forgiveness, before we can partake of the eucharist, and its life-giving sustenance. God wants to heal your heart and then your body comes next. Go to him and find his healing love.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Oh lord, help us today to see our faults, and to seek the healing love of your promise. For to be clean in your sight is more important than anything is this world.