We all have learned that many people are not reliable. You can't trust them. We may have even come to the conclusion that we ourselves are not completely trustworthy. However, we probably don't consider ourselves so untrustworthy that we are cursing ourselves if we trust ourselves (see Jer 17:5). We don't think of our hearts as "more tortuous than all else" (Jer 17:9). We don't see our hearts as so twisted and deceitful that they are "beyond remedy" (Jer 17:9). We would be shocked by the words of Abraham that our hearts are so hard that even a man risen from the dead would not faze us (Lk 16:31).
What is the condition of our hearts? We may feel that our hearts are in relatively good condition, but the Lord disagrees. Let's listen to Dr. Jesus (see Mk 2:17). He alone can understand and test the heart (Jer 17:10). He alone is well aware of what is in our hearts (Jn 2:25). Jesus has already given us a new heart in Baptism. Now He will purify our hearts (see Acts 15:9) and make them like His heart (Mt 11:29). Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
| PRAYER: | Father, during this Lent and Easter season may my heart burn through hearing Your word (Lk 24:32). |
| PROMISE: | "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord." –Jer 17:7 |
| PRAISE: | St. Peter Damian came out of the monastery to bring renewal to the diocesan clergy, propagating devotion to Christ's Passion. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College