INSPECTIO CORDIS Examining the depth of one’s heart with St. Stanislaus Papczyński “Our weekly goal is to allow Jesus to gaze into your heart and teach you self-examination, leading you to a more fruitful reception of Holy Communion at Sunday Mass, where there is a true encounter of our hearts with His Sacred Heart.” Prepare for Sunday Mass with our Founder Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time—C February 16, 2025 Before Holy Communion 1. “Cursed is the one… Blessed is the one…” Cursed is a strong, even taboo, word for modern ears. Yet, the image provided by Jeremiah is apt: one who lives apart from God is lifeless, depicted as a “lava waste” and a “salt and empty earth.” If we place our trust – our reliance, our confidence – in flesh, in what is passing and earthly, then we are doomed to encounter death. On the other hand, blessed is the one who trusts in God, as manifested in obedience and reliance upon His wisdom. Notably, not only does such a one prosper because he is planted near water – the grace of the Holy Spirit flowing in the Word and the sacraments – but even in “drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.” The one who relies upon God can face death and not only survive but thrive. These strong words – cursed, blessed – remind us the seriousness of listening to the Word of God. Each Mass places us before choices that challenge who or what we trust in daily life. If we listen, heed, and obey the Word, then we will experience this blessing from Jeremiah, even in drought. How attentively do you listen to the readings at Mass? In what or in whom do you trust? How can you bear fruit even in drought? 2. “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” Blessed – in English – carries with it a religious connotation. However, the Hebrew could be translated as happy or fortunate. “We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition, even before it is fully articulated” (CCC, 1718). Yet, many fall into sin as they seek happiness in places that only provide misfortune. Like the image from Jeremiah, those who seek happiness by following God’s law are like a tree beside life-giving water. “Whatever he does, prospers.” Yet, notice the progression: not only does the righteous – the blessed man – avoid evil (by not following, not walking, not sitting) but he embraces what is good (by delighting and meditating). We experience true happiness only in God and in what flows from God, delighting in Him and His law. This is only possible if we do
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