Today’s Gospel reminds me of the last words Simeon spoke to Mary at Jesus’ presentation, that through His words and presence, “the thoughts of many hearts [will] be revealed” (Luke 2:35). In our reading, some say Jesus is the Messiah; others (namely the chief priests and Pharisees) say that He is an imposter and condemn those who believe in Him. Each person’s reaction to Jesus’ words and actions has the ability to reveal what is in his or her heart.
It often seems that the chief priests and Pharisees carried a great deal of resentment toward Jesus. They resisted any indication that He could be the Messiah and refused to allow their hearts to be touched because of what it would mean for them and how it would challenge them.
If they were to accept Jesus as the Messiah, they would have to obey Him and change their ways, and essentially their entire lives. They may lose their status, authority, and the respect they had enjoyed. They would need to reinterpret all of Scripture and rethink how they explained and shared it – believing in Jesus would mean a restructuring of Jewish society and of their place in it.
The guards, who had been sent to arrest Jesus but returned empty-handed, appear to have had hearts that were divided between loyalty to the Pharisees and openness to Jesus’ message. “Never before has anyone spoken like this man,” they exclaimed, revealing some willingness to question their old assumptions.
Those proclaiming, “This is the Christ,” appeared to be the most open, potentially ready to receive Jesus’ revolutionary teachings and ready to conform their lives to what He said. Listening to Jesus’ words and gauging our reaction to it and the place it holds in our lives can reveal what is in our hearts as it did for those mentioned in our reading.
It is difficult when our faith challenges us and we come face to face with the need to confront misperceptions, unforgiveness, struggles, and sin. Like the Pharisees, it is easy for us to resist the challenge and remain comfortable rather than examining and amending our lives.
Do we let Christ in and let Him challenge and change us, or do we hold onto our places of comfort and cling to the status quo? Do we allow Jesus to take His rightful place in our hearts, or do we protect ourselves from the deep inner work that it takes to follow Him and to allow Him to transform us? The answers to these questions can reveal much about the state of our hearts.
Daily Reading
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Reading 1 Numbers 21:4-9 From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road, to bypass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out…
Saint of the Day
Saint Julie Billiart
Saint Julie Billiart, founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame, was renowned for her profound charity and her constant praise, “How good is the good God.”
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