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Wednesday, February 7, 2001

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Genesis 2:5-9, 15-17
Psalm 104:1-2, 27-30
Mark 7:14-23

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cleaning is an "in-thing"

"What emerges from within a man, that and nothing else is what makes him impure." —Mark 7:20

"All these evils come from within and render a man impure." —Mark 7:23

The source of "acts of fornication, theft, murder, adulterous conduct, greed, maliciousness, deceit, sensuality, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, an obtuse spirit" (Mk 7:21-22) is the impurity inside us. Consequently, it is very important to be cleansed inside and to remain clean inside. This means that:

  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of God's most precious gifts because of its cleansing power.
  • The penitential rite at the beginning of Mass is one of the more important moments of our day and life.
  • To hear God's cleansing word daily is even more necessary than to wash daily (see Eph 5:26; Jn 15:3).
  • Fasting, because of its cleansing power, should be highly valued.
  • The defilement from most TV programs is intolerable.
  • "Dirty language" and "dirty pictures" are aptly named and are worse than living in a garbage can.
  • The defilement from unforgiveness must be removed immediately (see Mt 5:25).

Be clean and stay clean — deep inside — and thus be free and holy.

Prayer:  Father, whatever it takes, cleanse my temple (see Jn 2:15ff).

Promise:  "The Lord God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being." —Gn 2:7

Praise:  Peter takes part in many wholesome activities in his youth group, including frequent Confession.

Reference:  (For related teaching, order our book, Living In Reality.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 9, 2000


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 18, 2000