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