Dear Friends,
We’ve been so serious lately as a nation (and rightly so), but
on this day before Valentine’s Day, let’s be playful. Instead of an essay, I
invite you to think about phrases of the heart. Think about them, add to them, let
them be part of your conversation and prayer over these days when we celebrate
the faithfulness of the human and work to overcome the vagaries of the heart.
Ready?
Happy heart / big-hearted / heavy-hearted / warmhearted / dear
heart / lose heart / stouthearted / brave-hearted / heart and soul / heartache / heart to
heart talk / sweetheart / cold-hearted / my heart melted / open your heart / bottom of
my heart / heartbeat away / close to my
heart / broken heart / you’re all heart (and of course, hearts of palm and celery
hearts.) OK, now let’s get serious.
Jesus is
described as a man of heart. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart
(Mt. 11.29). My heart is moved
with pity for the crowd (Mk.8.2). He was well aware of what is in the human
heart (Jn.2.25). My heart is filled with sorrow (Mk.14.34). In Matthew, My
Heart is nearly broken with sorrow.
And sadly,
it is said of Judas that immediately after the Passover meal, “Satan entered
his heart.” (Jn. 13.27). Better to remember Mary, who reflected on all that had
happened in her heart (Lk.2.19) and who heard from Simeon that her heart would
be pierced (Lk2.35).
The
Scriptures also describe what our hearts are to be like. Love the Lord with
your whole heart. (Mt.22.37) Remember that where your treasure is so is your
heart (Mt. 6.21). Paul invites us to set our hearts on greater gifts
(1Cor.12.31). He also tells us that the Holy Spirit will stand guard over our
hearts and mind (Phil.4.7). The psalms
remind us to give thanks to God with all our hearts (Ps.9.2) and to pray for a
steadfast heart (Ps.57.8).
And here’s a
whole set of beliefs and conclusions and turns of phrase collected from human
wisdom or human folly about the human heart: The heart does not always have its
way. Our hearts can change. The heart takes risks. Communities as well as
individuals have heart. Only the heart can forgive. The longest distance is
from the head to the heart. God can fix a human heart if we give God all the
pieces. The heart is where we suffer.
Today, as
the work of the day continues, as we meet people, perform whatever life tasks
are assigned to us or which we voluntarily take on, as we eat and drink and
love and explore the world, as we suffer whatever pain is uniquely ours, let us
try to be wholehearted and single-hearted. Even when we are restless or anxious
or subject to envy or rejection, when we seek God today, we shall find God
(Jer.29.13). Count yourself among the believers who were of one heart and one
mind (Acts.4.32).
May what you
have heard from the beginning remain in your hearts (Jn.2.24).
~ Sister
Joan Sobala
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