Choosing Jesus

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe for the Soul

Wednesday, Memorial of St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr, 22 January 2020

1 Samuel 24:3-21 ><)))*> ><)))*> ><)))*> Mark 3:1-6

Dearest Lord Jesus:

Today I realized something new, something different: that biblical term “hardness of the heart” may not be totally wrong at all.

It sounds negative but may mean two things also like of hardness of the heart for God or a hardness of the heart against God and others.

Hardness of the heart for God: When King Saul was trying to dissuade the young David from facing the Philistine giant Goliath, David explained:

“The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:37

Would it really matter, O Lord, if we face a great or little obstacle in life if we have that complete faith and trust in you, if like David we would have such heart so hard for you?

David was very insistent on fighting Goliath – he knew and was convinced that no matter what, God will fight his battle! He had a hard heart for you, O God. Very adamant in fact.

When we have total faith and trust in you, O Lord, there is no one or nothing we should be afraid of.

Hardness of the heart against God: When Jesus confronted his enemies during a sabbath at the synagogue regarding the healing of the man with a withered hand there, they chose to be silent than make a stand for what is good and right.

Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on a sabbath rather than do evil, to save life rather than destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

Mark 3:4-5

Lord Jesus Christ, remind us always of the beautiful imagery of your Cross, of you always standing in our midst, presenting yourself before us to always choose you, side with you in making choices in life.

Give us the grace and courage like with St. Vincent, the first martyr of Spain who bore all forms of torture with silence and grace, remaining faithful to you.

Give us that grace to give you a chance to work in us.

Harden our hearts for you.

Incline our hearts for you. Amen.