We are all called to convert from a “heart of stone” and replace it with a “heart of flesh” and mercy.
It is reported that St Francis de Sales, on meeting people in Geneva, would ask them: “How is your heart?”
That’s not a bad question for each of us to ask ourselves occasionally.
Certainly, one is struck at times, at how much anger and resentment exists today in the Church, and society, at so many levels. That’s not a recipe for peace and joy in life.
The tragedy is, that if we do not forgive those who hurt us, we actually destroy ourselves and become paralysed, unable to move forward in discipleship.
Let’s face it. The problems of most of us are rarely theological. They are rooted much deeper — in a disordered and diseased heart.
That is why St John Chrysostom tells all of us: “Find the key to your heart; you will see this key will also open the door of the Kingdom.”
Sadly, one does still come across those who act as if they believe the opposite. They are already ‘in’ and they seem to want to close the doors and keep the ‘others’ out. Effectively they want to throw away the key!
It’s bad enough when this happens in our wider society and the stranger – often in the person of the refugee in peril – is excluded.
It’s worse when it occurs amongst the followers of Jesus.
The real scandal is that this small vocal minority so self-righteously opposes our Holy Father Pope Francis, as he preaches Gospel mercy and compassion.
I shudder to think of how many have left the Church, because of the meanness and rigorism of these so-called ‘good ‘Catholics whose specialty is judgemental gossip.
Thankfully, the People of God are also blessed with so many healing pastors, laypeople, and those in consecrated life – everywhere spreading the Good News. They are the silent majority and deserve more praise and support.
It’s very simple. Pope Francis is encouraging us to “take heart” – to repent, confess our failures honestly and re-focus on the Gospel of Mercy.
We are all called to convert from a “heart of stone” and replace it with a “heart of flesh” and mercy.
The merciful Father – whom Jesus of Nazareth called his “Abba” – unlocks our hearts and graces us to discover the Kingdom coming in the ordinary lives of so many good people all around us.
That is the ‘key’ which unlocks the ‘door of the Kingdom’.
Find the key to your heart; you will see this key will also open the door of the Kingdom.
Br Mark O’Connor FMS is the Vicar for Communications in the Diocese of Parramatta.
This article was originally featured in the Ordinary Time/Winter 2021 Edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine.
