Article May 21, 1979 Issue

Cleanliness and true purity

GLENN M. LINDEN

Clean, and free from anything that could pollute or contaminate us! This is a natural desire. Some societies use symbolic rituals, such as the throwing of salt or the rinsing of hands before approaching a holy place. Often, too, the sprinkling of water is thought to help in the purification process.

Unfortunately, however, ritual tends to shut out a more careful probing of the deeper meaning of true purity. On one occasion the Pharisees challenged Christ Jesus to defend his disciples' practice of not washing their hands before eating. Recognizing rigid practice of this ritual as one that might distract them from pursuing a deeper and purer spirituality, he replied, "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man." Mark 7:15; And later he explained that it is evil thoughts that defile a man—not eating with unwashed hands.

The Pharisees were meticulous in observing hygienic laws, but Jesus recognized the more fundamental need to watch thoughts and keep them pure. Then cleanliness would follow. To him purity was much more than a hygienic process; it was the consistent cleansing and purifying of consciousness. He stated this even more clearly to the Pharisees on another occasion: "Ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.... Cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." Matt. 23:25, 26; Knowing that too often people focused on the external symbols, neglecting the inner purification, Jesus continually pointed out the necessity for regeneration of thought. He knew that the cleansing of thought would be expressed in purer experience of every kind.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Inescapable blessings
May 21, 1979
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit