I recently said to someone, "I think it's time for me to
just go 'all in', put my condo on the rental market NOW and trust".
Originally I wanted to play it safe and keep it for as long as I needed it, but
I felt a new resolve to let go of the old and be ready for the new. It goes
back to my previous blog post "Ready, Set, Jump!" where I was reflecting
about jumping into this new part of my journey. But is it possible to jump in
just a little?? Not in this case!
What other areas in our lives could we holding something back from God? Perhaps our openness, time, talent or treasure? Perhaps our devotion, loyalty or even our true love?
What was it that held the Pharisees back from experiencing and
being moved by the true presence of our Lord, even while He was physically in
their midst? How could they be so hard of heart, so stuck in their ways that as
we see in today's gospel (in Canada: Luke 6.6-11) - they can't even celebrate a
miracle of healing that occurred right in front of them! They couldn't feel
compassion for the man with a withered hand, only contempt for Jesus because He
was breaking the law of "doing work" on the sabbath. It's easy to
point our fingers at the Pharisees, but sometimes I think as a society, we can
be just like them.
We postulants are reading and reflecting on a book together entitled: "15 Days of Prayer with Saint Francis of Assisi" by Thaddee Matura. The past couple of days we've been invited to reflect on what it means to be pure of heart. Here's what St. Francis has to say:
Blessed are the pure of
heart, for they shall see God.
The truly pure of heart are
those that gaze from above at the earthly realities, seek heavenly ones, and
never cease adoring and seeing the Lord God living and true with a pure heart
and spirit (Adm 16) Matura p.92
A pure heart is able to look past what is superficial (toils and
troubles of the world) and gaze on what is truly important- heavenly things,
being thankful and adoring the Lord for all that is good. Perhaps the more our
hearts are centered on his Son, the more we would be able to recognize, see and
respond to His great love working around us. Perhaps it was a lack of a pure
heart that the blinded the Pharisees from truly being open and receiving the
grace manifested right in front of them.
What can we do to strive towards a pure heart? Readers, I hope
some of you will give your input here :)
I wonder if St. Francis would like this song "You Are My
All in All". Gazing on heavenly things, adoring Him, realizing that our
true reality is that He is our everything all seem to be found in the lyrics.
"You
are my strength when I am weak, you are the treasure I seek, You are my all in
all
Seeking
you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool, you are my all in
all"
Lord, as we journey closer to you each day,
grant that we may have pure hearts, that we may see you as our All in All, now
and forever more.
Peace and Blessings!!!
Hmmm...how do we strive towards a pure heart... I know that going to confession on a regular basis has been REALLY good for me (and I mean regular - like every month - even when you don't really want to). And being as brave and open and TRUTHFUL about my failings as I can when I'm at confession - which is a great lesson every month in humility. I have a feeling that genuine humility is one of the necessary ingredients in the quest for a pure heart. Great blog, Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on the quest for a pure heart, Laura! I especially like the part about "even when you don't really want to"...don't we all feel like that sometimes! ;)
DeleteSimply...I'm trying to see the good in every person, in every moment, in everything. Awake to present reign of God. Thanks for your inspiring post, Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteThank you and I think following your example of being "present" to the reign of God in everyone/thing around us is something we can all strive for. :)
DeleteChelsea, Greetings from the convent. I lvoe Internet...it keeps people closesr than what they really are when far away. It's late and I'm surfing our web site as usual and I found your blog...a new addition. You are most blessed to be able to do these blogs, share your thoughts, and let God touch other people's lives through your caring, prayer-filled words. I ead you rblog on "becoming pure of heart." It reminded me of "Refining His Silver"...a book written about our community by Sr. Teresita. Our life IS a constant "refining of His silver." As one skims off the surface of those things we're ready to let go (wants, needs, etc. etc.), more things float to the sruface...and the process continues...until we become pure like silver. God is always gently helping us to "skim the surface of our own self" and replace it more and more with His Image...as we strive to follow His way. I loved the latest blog on "getting rid of stuff." You, too, are learning to "refine God's silver." Time to say Good Night and God bless."
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sister Caritas for sharing your insights :) One of my favorite hymns (Refiner's Fire) has the lyric "Purify my heart, let it be as gold and precious silver" so I relate very much to what you are saying. Blessings and I look forward to seeing you in October!
DeleteHow do we strive for a pure heart? That's a really good question and a very hard one to pin down for me... The purest hearts that I can think of are the hearts of young children. Jesus did say we must be like children if we want to enter his kingdom. But what does it mean for a 29 year old in this troubled world?... Anyone who has taken care of a baby knows that one of their key traits is dependence, they depend on someone to do everything for them, change them, feed them, clothe them and most of all love them. They cry and they scream
ReplyDeleteAnd yet they have the most pure hearts among us. Perhaps part of the key to become more like a child is be more dependent Or even completely dependent on God for everything. To trust in him the way a baby in all their vulnerability and ignorance trust their parents to keep them alive. In a world that glorifies independence and says we can "make it" on our own and achieve sucess in what ever we want, I think Jesus would say the opposite "depend on me and I will never fail you" the purest hearts desire only what the father wants for them , the purest hearts don't know what they need they only know and trust the one who gives them everything that they need.