Friday of the Third Week of Easter
I generally support rational thinking and behavior that is based on logic and reason. I take it as a compliment to be referred to as a “rational person,” especially as opposed to irrational. I appreciate the predictability of math and science and recognize all the ways these disciplines have helped us as a civilization. And yet, today's readings remind me that we are sometimes called to set aside seemingly rational thinking to listen and respond with our hearts, with hearts of faith.
Like Ananias in today’s reading from Acts (9:1-20) who was told in a vision to go to Saul (later named Paul), a known persecutor of Jesus’ followers, one who the author tells us at the beginning of this passage was, “still breathing murderous threats against the disciples.” Ananias politely points this out to the Lord (as if Jesus didn’t already know), probably using his rational thinking that he could be imprisoned (or worse) by Saul. Ultimately, Ananias chooses to listen with his heart of faith and trust in the Lord’s instruction and work that He had begun in Saul on the road to Damascus.
Like today’s gospel reading from John (6:52-59), part of the “Bread of Life Discourse,” that challenges us (and the Jews whom John tells us Jesus was addressing) to set aside our rational thinking and believe that Jesus’ Flesh is true food and Blood is true drink that leads to eternal life. Today this kind of language is commonplace for us, especially those of us “cradle Catholics”; but from a rational thinking mindset, I can understand the questions and quarreling, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?”
It doesn’t make any more sense, rationally, than Jesus’ bodily resurrection that we are celebrating this Easter season. Yet we listen with our hearts and somehow come to believe.
And if we are struggling to believe, how might our rational thinking be getting in the way? Both are gifts from God. I don’t mean to imply that we are to simply “follow our hearts” without proper discernment. Yet we are called to walk by faith. Trusting in the Risen One, let us pray for one another as we seek to listen and discern with hearts of faith.
—Eileen Miller