The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Years ago, I was at a retreat praying with Ezekiel 36:23-28, reflecting on God’s desire to change our hearts of stone to a heart of flesh. I had this image of God striking our hearts with a chisel and connecting to our hearts during particular moments. These were moments that are often emotional, memorable, and can be likened to the big “conversion moments of our lives.” Then I saw God take the chisel and just gently smooth away the stone over and over again. This made me think of the everyday encounters with the Lord that don’t often feel like He’s doing anything, but it’s most likely because I can’t see the whole picture or the fruit of that chiseling until way later in my life.
Today we’re celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is related to Ezekiel 36. See, God isn’t interested in creating us into a better version of ourselves, but giving us a heart transplant to receive HIS heart. Christianity isn’t a behavior modification system, but a life transformation; from one of stone and being dead, to a natural, flesh heart that is alive, breathing, active, and willing to love and sacrifice. This heart is the same heart that rescues you from slavery and chains just like He did with Moses and the Israelites recounted in today’s first reading. “It was because the Lord loved you…” BECAUSE He loves YOU! Because He loves you, we can experience this kind of life changing love, as well as be transformed and molded and chiseled into having His heart to then share that love with others.
It really is true that the Lord is gracious and merciful and slow to anger and abounding in kindness. And these aren't attributes of the past or something from long ago, but a perpetual “is”. God IS gracious, even now. God IS merciful, even now. God IS slow to anger, abounding in kindness, pardoning us from our iniquities and healing all of our ills, even now.
Lean into His heart that is offering the rest you are so desperately craving and searching for, and allow Him to mold you into the person He desires you to be. He does all the work, you just have to rest in His most Sacred Heart and let Him.
Ali Hoffman loves God and loves people. She travels the globe preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. She also mails monthly letters of encouragement and hand drawn pieces of art (affectionately called LYLO Letters) to build up the local church. You can find more info here.
