Numbers 12:1-13 / Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14 (Yr A)
Envy and jealousy are what we feel in our hearts whenever we feel inferior to another person.
As it is, envy and jealousy already contorts our actions and behaviour.
In the spoken form, it comes out as criticism and judgement.
In the 1st reading we heard how Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses in connection with the Cushite woman.
But the real reason was that they were envious and jealous of Moses and they used a trivial matter to express it.
So what they said merely expressed what was really biting away in their hearts.
Indeed, as what Jesus said in the gospel, what goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean.
Rather it is what comes out of the mouth that really shows the state of what is in the heart.
Hence in our examination of conscience, it is necessary to recollect and reflect the words we have spoken to others throughout the day.
By our own words we will know what is in our hearts.
May we offer our hearts to the Lord to be cleansed and healed so that our hearts will be where the Lord makes His home and that we will be speak only words of love.