How Clean is your Heart?

09-02-2018Weekly ReflectionRev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu

In Matthew Commentary chapter 15, J. C. Ryle wrote “The heart must be the principal point to which we attend in all the relations between God and our souls. A new heart. What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to him? A broken and a contrite heart. What is the true circumcision? The circumcision of the heart.

What is genuine obedience? To obey from the heart. What is saving faith? To believe with the heart. Where ought Christ to dwell? To dwell in our hearts by faith. What is the chief request that Wisdom makes to everyone? ‘My son, give me your heart.’”

Jesus teaches us today that it is not about clean hands. It is about clean hearts. Scripture tells us in Proverb 4:23 that we are to guard our hearts above all else, for it is the wellspring of life. As you sit in church today, joy, love, goodness, faith, meekness, contentment? Or is it filled with Anger, Lust, Divisiveness, Unforgiveness, Pride, Hatred, ingratitude?

The good news is that in the Eucharist, we have the medicine for the healing and rectification of our hearts. As we approach the altar of sacrifice for communion, may the old chorus be our prayer, “Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God. May I be like You, Amen!

Fr. Emmanuel

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