Day 37: Our Vacillating Hearts and Minds
BY LUCAS SHARMA, S.J. | March 25, 2021
Today’s Readings
What makes us weary this Lent? Where do we find ourselves tired, no longer turning to God but instead false substitution?
In our first reading, Ahaz lacks faith. Surrounded by war, he decides he will ask an enemy for help. God is weary with him, though does not give up. Instead, God promises a sign of hope. He remains steadfast in love even when Ahaz turns elsewhere for comfort.
Even if we do not turn to an “enemy,” the daunting nature of cultural and structural change can cause despair. I am tempted to despair how slowly it takes us as individuals (including myself) and institutions to commit to racial justice. If I am being honest, I vacillate between the “yes” of Mary and the “no” of Ahaz daily because Ahaz’s response feels more immediately comforting.
Like God does with Ahaz, God does not give up on us. God sees that there are so many things that make us torn and tattered, weak and weary. God comes to us in a profoundly new way: God lovingly looks down on our weariness and enters the world. The angel Gabriel’s announcement is that sign that God can never tire in loving us.
As we continue to work for justice, as God did through Jesus’ ministry with the poor and marginalized, let us honestly examine ourselves to see the ways we vacillate between Ahaz and Mary. There, in the rawness of our lives, we might find God faithfully offering us steadfast love for our journey.
For Reflection:
- What helps me turn to God for steadfast love? How did God show that love to me this week?
- What tempts me to turn to what is comfortable or easier in the moment? How ought I recommit myself to God and to others today?
Lucas Sharma, S.J., is a deacon of the Jesuits West Province and a graduate student at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. He is currently serving as a deacon at St. Ignatius Parish in San Francisco, CA. Lucas serves on the boards of Seattle University and JVC Northwest working especially in mission and equity initiatives. When not studying, Lucas loves to cook and watch the soap opera General Hospital.
Our vacillating hearts and minds cause us both pain and joy. We desire to please God through adherence to the social justice that is necessary for our movement forward. We want to be authentic and meaningul in our words and deeds. We think and say: “That sounds harsh and thoughtless” Let me try that situation again, Lord, let me bring the wisdom that is necessary to give the fine tuning of social juistuce to our everyday ordinary lives. Help us to only have the words in our mouths that will comfort, encourage and show mercy. Help us to fill our hearts with the love that you showed us toward your Mother, the disciples, the people you cured and really all you came in contact with. Let us extend our loving hearts to those who seem annoying or inappropriate in our lives.Let us challenge each other to do what is right and just. Help us to give all the graces necessary for their day and ours that truly fills our lives with joy. We ask you this through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
What makes me weary? Some of these obscure passages from John during the past days of Lent. So where do I turn for refreshment? MSNBC and other distractions. What can lead leads me to turn to God? Admitting that I am distracting myself and desiring to seek some quiet reflection and I can express this steadfast love–both for myself for my neighbors. Praying for that to take hold in our nation ravaged by division.
Well, that can be prayer and quiet time today.
Dan Price
Thanks for this profound reflection. Our vacillating hearts and minds need anchoring in the Lord.