Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
“Put out into the deep water…”
At the close of the jubilee year, 2000, our Holy Father, St. John Paul II, used these words in some of the first lines of his Apostolic letter, Novo Millenio ieunte. And how often, in other writings and talks, he told us, “Do not be afraid!” And what is it that we are not to be afraid of? Our hearts!
The catechism tells us that the heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live; …the place “to which I withdraw.” … our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully. The heart is the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death. It is the place of encounter, because as image of God we live in relation: it is the place of covenant. CCC # 2563
We can only launch into this deep water of the heart with the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why we must always begin our meditation period with a request for the Holy Spirit to come and lead us. He will lead us to see this “place of truth” as something beautiful and wonderful! Yes, we are often buffeted by storms and dark clouds and high waves, whether coming from within ourselves or from outside. But through it all, there remains a “hidden center.” In this center we can choose life and God and the self that the Father brought into existence out of love.
Two virtues, at least, accompany our launch into the deep: courage and joy. They are the working of the Holy Spirit. So we want to ask him for them often.
Reflection by Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections