From Living Faith Daily Catholic Devotions (Jan/Feb/Mar 2026)

Our Lady of Lourdes

1 Kings 10:1-10 + Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40 + Mark 7:14-23

Inside, Outside

But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles…. Mark 7:20

It is so much easier to focus on what we put into our bodies. Maybe it is moderation or abstinence from alcohol. Or a limited amount of calories, saturated fats, carbohydrates, caffeine and all the rest, depending on medical recommendations or our own common sense. (Not that I haven’t been awake at midnight from time to time because I drank coffee too late in the afternoon. Maybe you’ve been there too!)

It takes much more self-control, self-monitoring and self-restraint to abstain from some of the evils Jesus lists in today’s Gospel reading: evil thoughts, greed, malice, deceit, arrogance and folly.

Ash Wednesday is just a week away. This Lent, let’s focus on cleaning up, with the Lord’s help, the interior thoughts that defile us and grieve him.

Jesus, as we approach Lent, I ask you to help me cast aside my interior thoughts that injure me and displease you.

□ Melanie Rigney