defile that person

“Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” (MK 7: 14-15)

“He made me angry”; “it doesn’t work because of him”; “she started this conflict,” and many other statements we can use every day to protect ourselves. God’s word reminds us: “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person.” We are responsible for what we do—“the things that come out from within are what defile.”

“Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth.” (Gospel Acclamation)