Homily For Wednesday Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 7th February, 2024

Readings: 1kings 10:1-10; Ps.37; Mark 7:14:23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

OUR PHYSICAL AND INTERIOR LIFE  IS KNOWN BY THE FRUITS OF OUR HEARTS

 

From the scriptures, we heard how God has entrusted to humanity his wonderful creation with the following instructions: ‘You may eat indeed of all the trees in the garden. Nevertheless of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you are not to eat, for on the day you eat of it you shall most surely die (Gen. 3:3). But we have often failed to keep this instruction out of pride and greediness which have corrupted our hearts and as a result most of our ugly attitudes are the fruit of this corrupt heart and these often separate us from God.

 

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus makes it clear that we are not defiled or separated from God, by external things, such as the kinds of food we eat, but by the sins of the heart, evil intentions and sinful actions which we entertain in our hearts. Telling us that the physical activity of the human person does not defile a person because the physical is being controlled by the inner interior being of the person. When the interior life of a person is corrupted by sin, then the fruit of this corruption is manifested in the physical activity of the person.

 

For just as a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so will a corrupt heart bring forth corrupt fruits, corrupt appetites, passions covetousness and immoderate desires for the passing things of this passing world from which comes wickedness; malice, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly, hatred, deceit; Lasciviousness and a delight in mischievous actions those filthiness and foolish talk which darkened the soul.

 

Hence, Jesus teaches us also, that from a corrupt heart comes the desire for fornication and adultery. And all these come from within our hearts, especially it’s the corrupt nature that brings about the carnal mind, the evil treasure in the heart which defiles the human person and renders one unfit for communion with God. Because they stain the conscience; and, if not mortified and rooted out, will send us out of our heavenly kingdom.

 

Thus,  the defilement we ought to avoid is not from what entered our mouths as food, but from what comes out of our mouths, which shows the goodness or wickedness deep down in our hearts. The human heart is the source of every good and evil deed. Hence, the pollution of the human heart is very dangerous, for in it comes all the powers and faculties of the soul. So there is a need for us to know that lustful and sinful thoughts of the heart defile the human person and make one abominable in the sight of God.

 

Dear friends, our physical and interior life is known by the fruits of our hearts. So we must ensure that our hearts are constantly purged of all these corruptions in other to bear good fruits of love, forgiveness, compassion and holiness. This is what the Queen of Sheba in the life of Solomon in our first reading said: How happy are these servants of yours who wait on you always and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God who has granted you his favour, setting you on the throne of Israel!

 

This tells us that it is only when we have the right disposition towards God that we can begin to talk about new hearts and the right spirit to be formed and created within us for having repented and received the pardoning grace of God. Because nothing will last in the soul more than the regenerating graces of the Holy Spirit which gives sight to the heart darkened by sin in order to effectively lead others to the truth that illuminates their hearts from the darkness of sin and death.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the human hearts have been corrupted and darkened by sins. As we struggle to constantly purge our hearts from sin and corruption, may you, create a pure heart within us so that we can bear good fruits of love and holiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.