In Mark chapter 7, we are again confronted with Christ's coming passion, as seen in the actions of the Scribes and Pharisees as a result of their hardness of heart, yet Jesus takes this opportunity to teach those who follow Him.  In teaching His followers, from where true impurity is rooted, Christ shows us that in Him, all is made clean, which is further exemplified in the example given of the faith of the Syrophoenician woman.  Finally, Christ reminds us not to fall into the temptation of hardheartedness by healing a deaf and dumb man to show how those who are around Him have blocked their ears to the truth that is in front of them.  Thus Christ warns His followers to truly be attentive to what is being revealed in the coming of the messianic age, as well as His willingness to shepherd us through our lives towards acquiring this understanding.
St. John The Baptist website:
https://www.saintjohnthebaptist.org/
GOA Parish Directory:
https://www.goarch.org/parishes
List of Sources Used For This Study:
Revised Standard Version of the Bible
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201&version=RSV
The Religion of the Apostles
Fr. Stephan De Young
https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-religion-of-the-apostles-orthodox-christianity-in-the-first-century?_pos=1&_psq=the+religion+of+the+ap&_ss=e&_v=1.0
At the End of Time: The Eschatological Expectations of the Church
Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos
https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/at-the-end-of-time
The Gospel According to Saint Mark
Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos
https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-according-to-saint-mark
Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to Mark (Soft Cover)
Theophylact of Ochrid
https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/0635c1b0-0fb9-11e7-e820-5b79d48c82f2?_pos=6&_sid=5f044f26b&_ss=r
The Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant
Fr. Lawrence R. Farley
https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-of-mark-the-suffering-servant?_pos=3&_psq=The+gospel+of+ma&_ss=e&_v=1.0
The New Testament Introduction, vol. 1. - Paul and Mark
Fr. Paul N Tarazi
https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/new-testament-introduction-the-vol-i-paul-and-mark?_pos=9&_sid=81aa9a5a0&_ss=r
Authority and Passion
Archbishop Demetrios, Formerly of America
New Edition Coming Soon
Mark
C. Clifton Black
Mark 1-8
Mark 8-16
Joel Marcus
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Mark
Thomas C. Oden & Christopher A. Hall

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