Hardened Heart

Today’s Gospel Text:  Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Beth-sa'ida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 51 And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:45-52

Reflection: What’s so big about this problem of a hardened heart and is it in relationship to only understanding the way of God, as in the case of the disciples?

“For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were HARDENED.” (vs. 52)

Suppose a situation when there is major crime committed and all the new paper come out with headlines flashing and likewise on T.V. and other media sources flashing it all along with no respite.  They keep appealing to the consciences of people about such a crime besides seeking to find solution.

In such a situation you have many becoming wise so as to come out with solutions to match the situation but what happens after some days have passed, things are back to normal.

In their hardness everyone has forgotten the situation and life goes on as usual till a next major crime occurs in public or unless the same media rakes it up. 

What I am referring here is one of the worst forms of hardening, the consciences are alive for a moment because the media has made it sensational and has raked up emotions.  Otherwise there may be plenty of other crimes which may be much more serious in nature but where the media may be least bothered.

Hardening of the heart is a serious issue which all must reflect on and check if they have such a heart which is not in keeping with what God will.  The worst part of this hardening is that, for a while, we get so involved in the process  and then after a while forget the whole issue.

When scripture refers to hardened heart it means a heart that is not attuned to God and his ways and thus is not able to be God's instrument of true love.

It is not possible to change this heart on our own but if we acknowledge our problem then we can turn to God for help to transform it and in keeping with his new covenantal promise he will do it: 

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.”  Ezek 36:26-27

Prayer: Lord I surrender my hardened heart to you so that I may have a new one.

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