In Mark 7:1–5 the religious leaders confronted Jesus about why his disciples didn’t perform a ceremonial hand washing before eating food. Unconcerned with hygiene, these leaders were scrupling over their traditions that had more to do with ritual than what was right. The text notes that whenever they came from the marketplace, they wouldn’t eat until they had washed since it was there that they had engaged economically with the Gentiles. Their ceremonial washing indicated their disdain for anyone unlike them. Their outward piety simply masked their love of money. Does a sacred/secular dichotomy still plague us today? Are some things considered holy and others worldly? Jesus had a lot to say about loving others and money. Everything is sacred when held in a proper perspective. Shouldn’t our lives be well-integrated without separating the spiritual from the non-spiritual? Jesus came to redeem and cleanse everything.

KEY QUESTIONS: Do I view some things as sacred and others as secular? Do traditions or rituals ever get in the way of serving others? Does economic status influence the level of respect I give people? Do I recognize within myself any semblance of disdain for those who are unlike me? How can I practically show respect to everyone, regardless of their position or economic status?