Harden Not Your Hearts"

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s scripture readings pose a challenge to us by presenting a choice or warning. The powerful passage from Jeremiah the prophet describes how the people of Israel have failed in following the LORD their God. “They walked in the hardness of their hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me” (Jer. 7:24b). And they did this after all that God had done for them, saving them from Egypt so they could be God’s people. In the gospel passage Jesus responds to those who believe him to receive his power from Satan. How could this be, asks Jesus: if I were a demon, why would I cast out demons? Such a suggestion seems to indicate a certain hardness of heart. The people seek out any explanation for Jesus’ power other than that Jesus is the Incarnation of God, their God in their midst, walking among them. It’s possible to be too heard on those who encountered Jesus. After all, God in their midst in this tangible way must have seemed inconceivable.

And yet our passages also bring out that this hardness of heart stretches back for time immemorial. When confronted with God’s love and God’s presence, God’s people often turn their backs on God. Our psalm response provides us with the warning: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps. 95:8).

This message is still valid for us today. Particularly in this season of Lent we must be open to hearing God’s voice and to receiving it with an open heart. This is what is required of us if we are to be on God’s side, that is, if we are to be with, rather than against Jesus. As Lent continues, let us continue to pray for God’s grace to open our hearts and transform our lives.

- Maria Morrow