Today is the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. Six weeks ago our lectionary journey through Mark’s Gospel reached the end of Chapter 6. For five weeks our attention has been on John’s discourse concerning the bread of life. Now today’s Gospel reading picks up Mark’s narrative at the beginning of chapter 7. Jesus’ radical attitude toward the Jewish law had already brought him into open conflict with the Pharisees on several occasions. In chapter 2 the Pharisees accused Jesus of disregard for the sabbath when his disciples plucked ears of grain. Now the Pharisees accuse Jesus of disregard for the ritual laws of washing. Jesus replies that a clean heart is more important than attention to the ritual laws of washing.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of washing. In today’s picture, from his book, Water, Teddy Horsley reflects on the physical and spiritual significance of washing.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you call your people to
pure and holy lives.
Wash from us all that defiles
that we may serve you with clean hearts;
now and always.
Amen.
Next Sunday’s Gospel reading from Mark presents Jesus’ remarkable conversation with the Gentile woman who came to him seeking help. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is dogs. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
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