Daily Gospel Reflection
Join the Notre Dame family of faith. Receive God’s Word and a unique reflection in your inbox each day.
February 12, 2020
Jesus called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. He said to them, “Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
We are bombarded daily with messages about the aspirational (and somewhat amorphous) concept of “wellness.” Whether through exercise regimes, fasting, or a particular mix of vitamins and supplements, we take steps to be our best selves. Today, Jesus declares that all food is clean – perhaps the original form of “clean eating.” More importantly, Jesus challenges us to nourish our souls.
I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. The act of preparing meals for my family is a way that I can demonstrate my love each day. It also gives me an opportunity to spend time with my wife and kids. My three-year-old son often serves as my sous chef. He will scurry to grab his kitchen stool and stand next to me as I chop, measure, and mix. The act of transforming raw ingredients into the food we eat fascinates him and his face lights up when trying a new food. He relishes in the one-on-one time – a rarity in a home with a baby.
Beyond the wholesome food that we make, our time together nourishes both of us. We work toward physical and spiritual wellness together as our hearts grow stronger through sharing time and showing love. Our hearts grow softer, too. Our time in the kitchen is an exercise of service. When my son has opportunities to see kindness and selflessness, I see him exhibit the qualities with his older sister – the sophisticated kindergartener – and the baby who is transfixed by her brother’s antics. Jesus reminds us that the evil in our world can come out of us, if we have unclean hearts. Let us challenge ourselves to strive for wellness, in body and soul.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you teach us the way of the pure of heart, that we might see God more clearly, and so love God more fully. Help us to overcome the weakness and sin in our lives that prevent us from loving you and others with all our heart. Give us patience, perseverance, and confidence in your loving mercy for those sinful habits and behaviors that we find particularly difficult to overcome. Help us to know that your love for us is greater than our capacity to sin. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Julian’s story has inspired people for generations. We have no date associated with his life, and even a location is difficult to pin down (somewhere in Europe—either in Italy or southern France), but his legend made him famous as patron saint of hospitality and entertainment workers.
The story goes that he was a nobleman and while he was out hunting one day, he received a vision that warned that he would kill his parents. He was horrified by the idea, and secretly moved far away.
He came into the service of a king, and grew to be a trusted advisor, marrying a wealthy widow and gaining knighthood. His parents set out to find him, traveling throughout the land. While Julian was out on a hunting party, they came upon the castle where he lived and inquired about him.
His wife told them that Julian was out hunting, but offered her bed to them for the night. When Julian returned that night and found two bodies in his bed, he assumed that his wife was being unfaithful, drew his sword and struck both bodies. His wife had been in the church saying her night prayers, and Julian met her when she returned. He was devastated to learn that his vision had come true.
He resolved to leave and give himself to the service of others until he gained assurance from God that he had performed a fitting penance for his sin. His wife joined him, and they traveled until they came to a river crossing. There they built a hospice to welcome weary and sick travelers, and Julian assisted people in crossing the river.
After many years, in the middle of one night, Julian heard a voice asking for help to cross the river. He found a leper nearly frozen to death, and helped him into the hospice to warm him and give him food. Seeing that the man would soon die from his exposure, Julian gave him the comfort of his own bed. The man was revealed to be a messenger from God, who announced that Julian’s penance was over.
St. Julian is patron saint of travelers, ferry workers, and hotel keepers. He is also patron of childless people, carnival workers, fiddlers, jugglers, murderers, and pilgrims.
St. Julian, your fantastic story inspired your patronage of innkeepers and fiddlers, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Julian the Hospitaller is in the public domain. Last accessed December 5, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
