What is the status of our hearts? Have we allowed our hearts to become hardened? That question requires some deep, honest reflection for me. I love my church family and see Sunday morning as the high point of my week. But is that enough? What does a hardened heart look like and how can we recognize it in ourselves?
Today’s readings along with the life of Saint Anthony, Abbot, clearly tell me that simply hearing the word and living my life among fellow believers is NOT ENOUGH. The message in Hebrews reminds us how important our hearts are to God. The Jewish people certainly appeared to be faithful with their many rituals and sacrifices, but all of those actions could not hide the true status of their hearts. God knew their hearts and punished them severely for their “evil and unfaithful hearts”. The responsorial Psalms continues this warning against hardening our hearts.
So where do we turn to discover how to determine the status of our heart. As with everything else in life, the only true source for this answer is God’s word. In our Gospel reading today from Mark, we see Jesus giving us the answer – do God’s will. That simple, that profound, that challenging ! Jesus’ life on earth was spent responding in love to the world around him. He provided the clear, powerful answer to developing and maintaining a heart for God.
The life of Saint Anthony provides an insightful example of one man’s effort to follow Jesus’s example. He was deeply moved by Jesus’ answer to the rich man in Matt. 19 where he told him to sell everything and give to the poor. Anthony was not content to simply listen to the word, he actually followed it to the letter, selling everything and living the remainder of his live as a monk in the Egyptian desert. His radical faith and complete commitment to God not only provided inspiration to many, it also provided him with a zeal for life each new day.
So where does all this leave us today? We know that God never changes, so we know that the condition of our heart is crucial to Him. Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to live our lives – to have a heart that is always open to Him and His will for each of our lives. We need to faithfully study his word - his examples - and then go out and DO IT. Our actions each day tell the true story of the status of our heart.
Dear Heavenly Father give me the wisdom to know your will for my life and to FOLLOW IT. I know that it does no good to simply know your will if I do not go out and follow it, to put your love into action.
Thank you for your patience and love.
In Jesus’s holy name, Amen
Larry Hopp
As I enter my second retirement, I can only express my deep appreciation to God for the opportunity to touch the lives of the amazing students here at Creighton. After 40 years as a civil engineer in the construction industry, I felt that I had completed my life’s work. God, however had a different plan – a MUCH BETTER plan. He opened a door to Creighton University and its Energy Technology Program which I would never have imagined. An opportunity to teach and lead a program that has proven to be some of the most rewarding and satisfying work of my life.
That process has only further refined my total trust & faith in following God and seeking Jesus with all my heart. His plans are always so much better than anything I could have ever imagined.
But of course work could never be the top priority of my life. Over the years, I have been engaged with a truly amazing church with an un-apologetic commitment to Jesus that has changed my life and future forever. My wife Linda and I have four children, 4 grandchildren and 5 foster “grandchildren” that have all been such a daily blessing in so many ways.
I am looking forward to see what God has in mind for this next stage of my life.
It is not surprising that God provides these reflection opportunities with the precise readings that I need to hear at that specific time. Spending time in prayer as I write & rewrite each Daily Reflection opportunity is truly a blessing. My prayer is that God can use these thoughts to bless you as well.
