Weighed Down

Today’s Gospel Text:  "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36

Reflection: What is the human heart made of that it not only sustains life by carrying blood to various parts of the body but is also the seat of emotions?

It can flutter, or get terrified gripped with fear, or miss a heartbeat, or can get heavy, or be filled with lust and love, or even jump with joy, etc.

Jesus too, when he invites us to be cautious, adds some of the possibilities the human heart is capable of, viz., of that of being weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and cares of this world.

When the stomach is empty the mind doesn't always think, when the hands are loaded you cannot do another job like wise when the heart is weighed down the mind cannot arrive at right decisions. 

Hence like a good teacher Jesus cautions us to desist and to be always prepared by avoiding those things which can kill our discerning abilities and prevent us to receive the free gift of Salvation offered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Such a thing can happen if our hearts are weighed down. 

What are these cares of the world that Jesus cautions us about and which can weigh our hearts down? 

It could be anything that we spend our precious time on; either in an addictive way or pleasurable way.

Hence whether it is our addictions on social networking sites and internet surfing, the games and enjoyments that we spend time on, the preoccupation with eating and drinking, looking out for more friends and partners, pornography, drugs, excessive preoccupation with health, wealth, possessions and relationships, excess love of self and gratifications, entertaining ourselves to deal with our boredom, worldly news and gossips, etc., are instances of cares of the world. 

The heart addicted to these cares, never wants to give up even though it weighs it down, destroying our reasoning’s to seek the right values. Above all, it prevents us to perceive  the great meaning in the sacrifice of Jesus and the good news of salvation which he freely offers to all those who are willing to accept it.

Prayer:  Lord give me the help of your Holy Spirit to discern and surrender those elements of sin that weighs my heart down so as to prevent your life and grace to rule my life.

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