Defiled hearts

Haiku of true worship

The Pharisees frown;

Jesus, your friends are eating

with their defiled hands.

Cleanliness requires

much washing, of hands and food;

also cups and pots.

They put much stock in

being ritually clean.

Jesus laughs at them.

Rules are worth nothing.

It’s what you do, what you say,

that matters to God.

Don’t try to honour

God with your lips if you won’t

do so with your hearts.

Take note, you leaders:

evil words and loveless deeds

render you unclean.

Human traditions

are rubbish, worship too; if

you’re ignoring God.

There’s only one law

that you need to keep; that you

love. The rest is dross.

© Ken Rookes 2021