God, Open My Heart

April 28, 2008

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

By Beth DeCristofaro

…a woman named Lydia…a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. (Acts 10:14)

For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. The Lord takes delight in his people. (Psalm 149:4)

…the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. (John 16:2)

Piety

Welcome, God, open my heart so that I pay attention to your Word. Lord God, may I know your presence today in my everyday routine. Jesus, Lord and Brother, let me see you in those whom I meet today. Advocate, may your truth give me courage to acknowledge and speak the divine presence today with my actions and words. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042808.shtml

Again and again, we are told in the Scriptures that God loves us and wants to be with us. In receiving, acknowledging and living God we must open to God's will over our own. That must, necessarily, change our perspective. Cultural norms, societal practices, personal intrigue and self-centeredness have no place in a heart open to God. Lydia, a rich woman, put her wealth and status at the service of God by supporting Paul and the community of Thyatira.

The Easter season readings have been full of the joy of God-made-man but also the uncertain and often frightening events which followed the disciples as they shared the Good News. Yet time and again, as stones are thrown or as idols are made in their image, we do not hear words of revenge or violence. Rather the early followers spoke of love, forgiveness and the desire of God to be with Creation. We, too, in "knowing the Lord" must be careful to not inflict injustice, violence, or revenge on someone else. In Jesus parables when he speaks about God's bounty, he speaks of flowing waters, forests of cedars, swooping and chattering birds. It is the bounty of energetic living, love of life, joy which God wants us to share with each other as He gave to the lilies of the fields. Are we able to act out of the fullness of God, the peace of God when we interact with others?

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify. (John 16: 8) Our testimony is our words and deeds. Do they point to God or to the culture that has not met him and opened to him?

Action

Where is the fullness of God when you think about or interact with that person who just rubs you the wrong way with their wrong decisions, hurtful comments, backbiting actions? Pray for God to fill you rather than being filled with resentment and spite. Pray for God to fill them as well.

Consider our words and deeds in light of welcoming out new babe chicks into the Cursillo community. Are our hearts open?