Proper 17B
Deacon Duane Leach preaches from the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus is chastised by the "powers that be" for allowing his disciples to violate the handwashing norms of the day. Jesus shifts the focus from the outward rituals to the inner person, where real "filth" manifests itself. "Rituals are good," says Deacon Duane, "but not when we let them come between us and God."