💖 HOMILY - FEBRUARY 12 💖

First Reading - Genesis 2:4-9,15-17 

Gospel - Mark 7:14-23

We often worry about external things—how we look, what others think of us, or whether we are following the right customs and practices. But today’s readings remind us that what truly matters is not what is on the outside, but what is within. God looks at the heart, and it is from within that real holiness or sinfulness comes.  

In the first reading from Genesis, we see God forming man from the dust of the earth and breathing life into him. Unlike the rest of creation, which came into being by God’s word, humanity is created with special care. God plants a garden and places man in it to work and take care of it. He also gives a command: man is free to eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This shows that from the very beginning, God desired a relationship with us—one based on trust and obedience. He gave humanity everything they needed, but also the freedom to choose.  

The Gospel continues this theme of what is truly important in our relationship with God. The Pharisees were focused on external purity—ritual washings, food laws, and outward observance. But Jesus teaches that true impurity does not come from what we eat but from what is in our hearts. He lists the evils that come from within: evil thoughts, pride, greed, envy, and more. These are the things that truly make a person unclean.  

These readings challenge us to examine our own hearts. It is easy to appear good on the outside—to say the right prayers, follow religious customs, and maintain a good reputation. But what about our thoughts, our intentions, and our hidden struggles? Do we carry grudges? Do we allow jealousy or selfishness to control us? Are we more focused on looking good in front of others than actually being good before God?  

God wants more than just outward obedience—He desires a transformation of the heart. Just as He breathed life into Adam, He wants to renew our hearts with His Spirit. But this requires us to be honest with ourselves. Instead of just avoiding external impurity, we must ask God to cleanse us from within—to remove pride, selfishness, and any sin that separates us from Him.  

The good news is that God does not abandon us in this process. Just as He provided everything for Adam in the garden, He gives us His grace to grow in holiness. Our role is to cooperate with Him, to be vigilant about what we allow to take root in our hearts, and to seek His help in overcoming sin.  

Let us take today’s Gospel as an invitation to look deeper—not just at how we appear to others, but at who we truly are before God. May we allow Him to cleanse our hearts so that we may reflect His love and holiness in all we do.