God meets us at our hearts

Aug 30, 2024

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8;
James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27;
Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

My reflection revolves around the “heart.” I do not mean it in the sense of cholesterol levels or exercise, but the deeper spiritual meaning of the heart. Today’s readings point us to the idea that the encounter with the divine happens at the level of the heart. The heart speaks to the heart. When we speak of the heart, we mean the innermost part of our being, the core of our consciousness

It is difficult to say what we mean by encountering God most profoundly in our hearts. When I spoke of this idea at a standard five catechism class, they asked me if I meant God is within our blood vessels. Despite this, we hear of this image often.

The Vatican II document Church in the Modern World describes our conscience as an “internal forum,” an inner sanctuary where we can hear the voice of God. I have always liked that image. I like to imagine that there is a chapel within our hearts where God is always present and where the most important conversations of our lives take place.

St Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, had a beautiful way of expressing this. She said that she carried the heart of God within her wherever she went, and in turn, she always remained within God’s heart. That is another image that is also a comforting thought. No matter where we go or what we face, we’re always connected to God at the level of our hearts.

In the first reading, Moses instructs the people of Israel to observe God’s commandments. At first glance, this might seem like a call to follow rules and regulations strictly. But the deeper message here is that these commandments are not just about external compliance. It is about forming us to be people who respond at the heart’s level.

The Old Testament shows us a people who are slowly learning that true observance of the law happens within. It’s not just about doing what’s right on the outside; it’s about having a heart that is in harmony with God’s will. This is clear when the prophet Hosea tells us, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6).

The Psalm continues this theme, reminding us that “whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue” is the one who truly lives in the presence of God. This is challenging because it tells us to live without deceit or falsehood. It’s about being the same person on the inside as we are on the outside.

This brings us to the Gospel. The Pharisees, who are concerned with outward appearances, criticised Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating. Of course, washing our hands is important, especially in Malaysia’s humid climate. However, Jesus wasn’t just talking about hygiene. He was pointing out that it’s not what goes into a person that makes them unclean, but what comes out from within. Jesus was critical of mere external observances without considerations of what comes from within.

We can ask ourselves, are we as concerned with the cleanliness of our hearts as we are with the cleanliness of our hands? If we are, we may see more kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Jesus challenges us not to be people who honour God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him. This is difficult but it makes a lot of good sense. What good is it to look holy on the outside if our hearts are full of resentment, jealousy, or pride?

St. James drives home the point for us in the second reading. He tells us that we should be “doers of the word and not hearers only.” It’s easy to listen to God’s word, but much harder to live it out. Yet, this is what true religion is all about, that is, caring for those in need and keeping ourselves holy. If we take this seriously, then being a Christian isn’t just a title. It’s an action and a way of life. We aren’t just followers of Christ. We are His hands, His feet, and most importantly, His heart in the world.

So, as we go about our week, let’s take a moment to check in with the “internal forum” of our conscience. Let’s ask ourselves: what’s going on in the rooms of our hearts? Are they places where God would feel at home? And if not, what can we do to clean up a bit and make them more welcoming?

After all, God meets us at our hearts. Let’s make sure we’re ready to meet Him there too.