BE CAREFUL

Wednesday in the 5th Week of the Ordinary Time
Mk 7:14-23

We are very careful with what gets into us. Are we as careful with what gets out of us? We are very cautious with what we take. Are we as cautious with what we give? We are very sensitive with what enters into us. Are we as sensitive with what comes out of us?

Jesus said that it is not what enters a man that makes a man unclean but what comes out of him that defiles him. Therefore, should we not be careful with what we say just as we are careful with what we listen to? Must we not be cautious of what we teach just as we are cautious of what we are taught? Ought we not be vigilant about what we practice just was we are attentive to what we believe in? Following Jesus’ logic in the Gospel today, we should. We must. We ought to.

If we are very careful so as not to entertain gossipers in our company, we should not be gossipers ourselves. If we are very cautious so as not to patronize false teaches, we must not be heretics ourselves. If we are very sensitive with hypocrites, we ought to be truthful ourselves.

It is not what we entertain that makes us good. It is what we entertain others with that can make us evil. It is not what we patronize that makes us righteous. It is how we patronize that can turn us into heretics or fanatics. It is never hypocrisy that brings us to heaven. Instead, practicing what we preach can lead us there.

So, what gets out of us? What do we give? What comes out of us? Just as a tree is judged by its fruits, so shall we be judged by our produce.