Do you think it is possible to become so focused, so involved with something that you overlook the bigger picture and perhaps even forget why you are doing it in the first place? In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and scribes were so focused on the disciples of Jesus eating their meals with unwashed hands that they did not pay any attention to God’s commandments.
Jesus is emphasizing the importance of getting your priorities straight! Do not put anything whatsoever ahead of obedience to God? He says: “
Hear me, all of you, and understand.” Jesus gets his listeners’ attention because they need to hear this. And then he goes on to make his point, a point that is important for us to hear as well. “
From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
We must be honest with ourselves. There are times when we may entertain these or other temptations and allow them to rest within us, knowing that it is not good for us. And what happens when we do that? The more we entertain such a thought from within, the worse it is for us, because it is
not of God. Immediately prior to the content of our Second Reading today from the Letter of Saint James, it is written: “
Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he [Jesus] promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, ‘I am being tempted by God;’ for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.” (James 1:12-15).”
It would be most beneficial for each of us to do an examination of conscience and identify the temptations that we struggle with and those we have given in to. If it has been a long time since your last confession, or if you are aware of mortal sin on your soul, I encourage you to seek reconciliation with the Lord through Confession, the very Sacrament that Jesus gave to us for this purpose. Confession not only cleanses the soul and brings us closer to Christ; it also supplies the grace necessary to be more resistant to temptations in the future. Take some time today to seriously think about this, and make whatever changes are necessary in your life so that you may have a pure heart, focused on the Lord.