Quiet My Heart
"The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'" (Luke 15:1-2)
"The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'" (Luke 15:1-2)
In today’s Gospel, when the Pharisees and scribes “began to complain” about Jesus eating with sinners, he turned to them and told them a story about a man who left ninety-nine sheep to go after the lost one.
I noticed something I had not seen before… Jesus left the sinners and tax collectors who had been “drawing near to listen” to Him to address the ones whose hearts were closing up. The ones complaining did not realize they were lost; they were caught in a mob. Echoing their displeasure and envy, they thought they were in the right, but with each harsh word spoken, they were walking farther away from love.
“(Your heart) seeks relief by complaining a little… you must say: be quiet, my heart… for love of him, you will go no further; and for his love, you will suffer yet a little. Then this heart, which is basically so good, will surrender and return to Jesus’ path, following wherever it pleases him to lead it, and it will find peace and freedom once again with strength and love.” (St. Peter Julian Eymard)
How can we find moments throughout our day to say, "Be quiet, my heart"?
Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation! Amen.
(Cf. Ps 37:22-23)
Ivonne Hernandez is a Catholic wife, mother, Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament, and President of Elisheba House. She is also a speaker and writer, and a member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. Ivonne and her husband, who have three young adult sons, reside in Trinity, FL, where they serve as coordinators for the OCIA program at their parish, St. Peter the Apostle.
