Tuesday 10 February 2026
St Scholastica
1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30. How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord, mighty God! – Ps 83(84):3-5, 10-11. Mark 7:1-13.
Rules of the heart
In the reading from Mark’s Gospel we are reminded how the Pharisees try to trick and test Jesus as to his understanding of the Law. Jesus replies, quoting the biblical prophet, Isaiah,
These people honour me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.
Jesus upbraids the Pharisees, telling them that they have let go of the commands of God and are holding onto human traditions. He exposes their hypocrisy when they attempt to ridicule the disciples for not washing their hands and suggest that this is a ritual defilement. What Jesus sees is publicly pious people following strict but unimportant human rules rather than the expansive and inviting rules of the heart wherein God resides. The Pharisees model mere short-term lip service, whereas Jesus is teaching about enduring faithful service in God’ name.
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