Honouring Jesus with our Hearts

Last Sunday at Mass the presiding priest gave a rousing homily on Jesus’ statement in this week’s Gospel Mark 7: 1-23 ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me’. He lamentented that so often in today’s world we recite pledges and make pronouncements with little attention to what we are saying. We make statements as if by rote without engaging our hearts. We can even recite prayers in this mechanical manner.

He urged us to examine our own spiritual practices and question whether we are truly engaging with God in a meaningful way or simply going through the motions. The priest challenged the congregation to move beyond mere words, encouraging us to reflect on the state of our hearts and the authenticity of our relationship with God.

He reminded us that God desires sincerity, not empty rituals, and that true worship comes from a heart fully attuned to His will. It was a powerful reminder that our faith must be lived out with intentionality, allowing our actions to align with the words we profess.

As I sat at the altar I felt a pang of guilt. I reflected on times I may have been distracted by day dreams, worries or regrets. I thanked God for the gift of Christian Meditation, which has worked wonders in my life in reducing the agitation of my mind.

The practice of concentrating on my mantra—MA RA NA THA—from Aramaic māranā thā, traditionally translated as "O Lord, come!" or "Our Lord has come," has brought a profound sense of peace and focus to my prayer life.

In moments of distraction, the repetition of this sacred phrase draws me back into the present, anchoring my mind in the presence of God. It has become a lifeline during personal prayer, reminding me that Christ is not distant but present here and now. This simple yet powerful practice continually helps me move beyond idle thoughts, allowing my heart to truly engage with the Lord in a deeper, more authentic way.

Jesus’ statement is captured by a phrase in the Mass liturgy - ‘Lift up your hearts - (response) we lift them up to the Lord’. It is a pleading by the priest (and the Lord through the priest) to give your attention, your heart, and your everything to the Lord Jesus who can, and does, meet your needs.

The priest admonished us that it is so easy to mouth words, but God desires a personal, heartfelt relationship. He reminded us that when we respond, ‘We lift them up to the Lord,’ it should not be a hollow phrase but a genuine offering of our innermost selves. This act of lifting up our hearts is an invitation to surrender all that we are—our joys, struggles, distractions, and fears—to Christ.

It is a call to be fully present, engaging both heart and spirit, allowing God to transform us from within. The priest urged us to remember that true worship is not just about reciting prayers but about entering into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus, where every word and gesture flows from a place of love and devotion.

As I walked down the aisle to the recessional hymn, the priest’s words lingered in my heart. I felt a renewed sense of purpose, a call to approach my faith with greater sincerity and mindfulness. I prayed for the grace to carry this deeper awareness into my daily life, striving to let my words, actions, and prayers reflect the true devotion Jesus desires.

Friends, this is my 200th newsletter post, please join me in thanking God for his guidance. And pray with me for the strength and courage to continue in my online ministry of the Word.