The Wound Within
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Psalm 102; Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
God tells Israel, “Your wound is incurable” (Jeremiah 30:12). Their real problem was not Babylon but their “great guilt and numerous sins” (Jeremiah 30:15). Exile was only the symptom; sin was the disease. We blame witches, the economy or other people, while ignoring our bad behaviours.
The Pharisees made the same mistake. They worried about unwashed hands (Matthew 15:2), but Jesus pointed to unclean hearts. Today our emphasis are still ephemeral not eternal. You might keep your hands spotless with the best of disinfectant, what about your heart? Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life.”
As a result of this pharisaic behaviour some us are busy changing churches, changing friends and changing environments, yet refusing to let God change our hearts. A new location without a new heart produces the same old life. Stop asking God merely to change your situation. Ask Him to change you.
St. John Vianney whose memorial we celebrate today transformed an entire village, not by extraordinary gifts, but by extraordinary fidelity. God does great things through those who are faithful in ordinary duties. Through him we understand that the greatest power of a priest is not his eloquence but holiness.
Prayer:
Lord, expose the wounds I keep hiding and heal the heart I cannot heal by myself. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
