A Heart Fit for God
Dear Spiritual Family,
We have been on quite a journey with James during this series, Heart Rhythms. It is not too late to pick up the Letter of Saint James and hear the wisdom of that Bishop of Jerusalem. Key to our reading is the biblical concept of the heart, which is far more than feelings. For people of the day, feelings were felt in the gut. When they spoke of the heart, that included feelings, but the heart was really the center, the place of integration and harmony.
This week, we read one of the times James uses the word “heart.” Heart occurs five times, in most English translations (1:26, 3:14, 4:8, 5:5 and 5:8). Just take one instance, “If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain” (1:26). We see here that what is in the core/heart and what comes forth from the mouth must match, else religious practice is without merit. James calls out hypocrisy and encourages his people to have their actions align with their deepest core. We have noticed his clarion call multiple times during these weeks.
Strongly associated with these passages is the phrase “double mind” or being of “two minds” (1:7, 4:8). He speaks of the conflicts within us that lead to tension. To remove those conflicting desires, to establish harmony or to be one united mind, he counsels us to draw near to God, really to attend to the heart of God. Ideally, to adopt the rhythmic pattern of life that beats from God’s own heart.
This week, James has strong words for the wealthy. He is critical of those who have accumulated, rather than been generous. His phrase is “you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.” Inactivity and complacency lead to death - no couch potato Christians.
The alternative is a firm and fit heart, that has become so by living out the faith, adhering in thought, word and deed to the great gift imparted to us at Baptism. I hope spending time with the Letter of James has been as helpful for you as it has been for me.
Next week, we begin to focus on “Philly Saints” - not all of whom are from Philadelphia, but all of whom are only a stones’ throw away. I encourage you to draw close to these master’s of divine heart rhythms. All the Saints have been trained in the school of life to seek to listen for the voice of God and to desire to follow that voice.
The first opportunity for you to draw close to one of the Saints is to see Padre Pio’s sacred relic, just 4 miles away, at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown. Please see the flyer on the right for more details!
Peace be with you!
Fr. Joel
