When I was a boy just a couple of years ago, my parents lived next to a creek. To me it was like the mighty Mississippi and I was like Tom Sawyer navigating its waters. Every afternoon, we would walk up and down exploring every last section. There was the 20 by 20 foot section of bamboo that became an Southeast Asia rain forest. There was the extensive mines where we mined quartz. Parts of the creek had huge enormous precipes that towered 15 feet tall. We used to make minnow farms, build elaborate dams and even go pipe fishing. We played and played until we heard the bell. You see my parents had this large bell and when it was time for dinner, they would ring it. The sound would carry for miles. It was then that we would suddenly realize that our stomachs were really quite hungry and we would scamper off to the house, run straight for the kitchen table and sit down. The first thing my parents would say was - “Boys, Go wash your hands.” We would spend about 3 seconds in the bathroom and return and a second time we would hear go back and wash your hands real good.

Im guessing, my family was not alone. I am sure this is played out in many families every evening for dinner. Why do we wash our hands? We do so so to remain free from disease and sickness. So our bodies can stay healthy. Its a good practice now and it was a good practice during the time of Jesus Christ.

The Jews of the time realized that they should wash their hands and their dishes and all sorts of other things so not to get sick. If you did eat with unwashed hands you would be considered unclean. So, here is Jesus Christ with his disciples, his group of boys and they sit down and start eating without washing their hands. Now, I dont know why he did not wash his hands. Perhaps it was because his mom was not with him. Maybe because it was a guys outing and you know guys forget sometimes. Who knows the reason? Certainly, we do know that Jesus is God and he could protect himself and his disciples from getting ill.

The point of the Gospel however, is not about washing ones hands. The real point is that the Pharisees and Scribes saw the outside washing of their hands, dishware, and other things as having an effect on the spiritual state of their souls. The reality is that Moses had given us the revelation of God and his commandments on Mount Sinaii. Among those they shall wash his hands is not numbered. What had happened? A good and wholesome human custom of washing ones hands was being considered as if it was superior to God’s commandments. At this Jesus had to speak up and so he did.

He said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." The Scribes and Pharisees had begun to think that ritual cleansing would satisfy the cleansing of the soul. No. So Jesus says, its what is on the inside that corrupts coming out.

One of my favorite movies during Christmas growing up was the Christmas story. I still like it today. In the Christmas story, a young boy wants a bb gun. Every one is telling him that he will shoot his eye out. Well, if you remember there was the moment when he was helping his dad with changing a tire and he drops the lug-nuts. He says “Oh Fudge.” But really didn't say the word synonymous with chocolatey goodness. This earned the boy a good washing his mouth out with soap. Not to be scandalous but in high school I too could have used a good washing. Indeed, it was until the sub-school principal sat me down and told me Jason, you are way too smart to be using such words. This got me thinking and slowing I began to change. You see these words came from within and they defiled me and all those that heard the words.

This is what sin does. Sin means to miss the mark. It means that we have transgressed the law of God. God did not impose the commandments upon us to enslave us. But he gave us the commandments to show us the way to freedom. He did not want us to be held captive by our passions, our thoughts, the devil, and anything else that sought to destroy his masterful creation. Indeed was sin does is that it dirties the soul, it begins to poison the soul, and eventually kills the soul. Soon, the soul is dead to God. And the person becomes more and more like an animal. St. Paul says in Romans that “All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” Also, in Roman’s he says “For the wages of sin is death.”

It is these sins that Jesus lists in the Gospel, “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly.” These are what dirties or even destroys the human soul and the human person. This is what Jesus is saying the Scribes and Pharisees really need to focus on cleaning. It is not the exterior but it is the interior that needs cleaning.

By our own power it is not possible, but the good news of our faith is that Jesus gives us the grace. St. Paul says, “God proves his love for us in this way, that while we were still sinners, he sent his Son to die for us.” Jesus Christ went to that cross carrying our sin so that we can experience the freedom and power to live as children of God. Every time we come to this altar and celebrate this Mass we come in contact with that same power that frees and cleanses.

And if our souls are dead because of sin, we can always go back to the amazing gift of the sacrament of reconciliation where our souls are made clean and brought back to life. This is the cleansing that Jesus wanted for us.

My brothers and sisters, to live in the glory of God means that we wont allow ourselves to go down the wrong path. We all have bad thoughts. It is part of the human person. We call these temptations. It is what we decide to do with these bad thoughts that will either destroy us or keep us on the right path. if we allow the thought to take root than shortly there after, the sinful action becomes more likely. The power Jesus gives to us all the time is the power to say no to that temptation and yes to a life of God and freedom in Jesus Christ.

Allow Jesus to be your saviour this day!