our heart condition
"More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?" —Jeremiah 17:9
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: Louise's marriage was a shambles. She made a full Confession for the first time in over a decade, and Jesus reconciled her with her husband.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997