Scripture Reflection March 29, 2009: Transforming Our Hearts

Scripture Readings:
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15
Hebrews 5: 7-9
John 12: 20-33

This Sunday we have readings that are about covenants, obedience, and death. At first glance they may seem full of despair, but upon further and deeper reflection, these readings overflow with hope, love, and the possibility of a beautiful transformation. The first reading from the book of Jeremiah reminds me of the comfort that is found in the embrace of a close friend, or a home-cooked meal shared with those we love. God has chosen to write God’s law on the hearts of the people, forming an intimate relational bond. “I will be their God, and they shall be my people…. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.” I find tenderness and compassion in this passage- God holds all of us and proclaims us beloved sons and daughters. This is not a representation of God with harsh words or stone covenants, but instead a picture of God as healing, forming a new covenant through touching our hearts and the promise of connection- that we may know one another.

We are now entering the fifth week of Lent and temptation to forgo Lenten promises seems to loom in the distance (at least for me!). Maybe you haven’t kept up with what you set out to do on Ash Wednesday; I know that personally I could be doing a better job of remembering my commitment for Lent. The second reading this Sunday from Hebrews calls us to obedience and reminds us of the obedience that Jesus practiced and the suffering he endured for our salvation. Obedience is not a popular concept. Rebellion seems to be more fun. I can seldom resist an opportunity to protest on account of an injustice that I see as harmful to society. The idea of obedience has me far less enthused. However, I think that it is important to consider what we are being called to with the invitation to obedience. In light of the first reading, we can view obedience not as absent-minded following, but instead as a chosen commitment to the mutual relationship that God offers us when God writes the law on our hearts. With this focus on obedience comes a reminder to remember the promises we made this Lent. It is never too late to re-commit to this Lenten season and to our relationship with God.

In John’s Gospel we hear about death and that whoever loves their life will lose it. It seems unfair and cruel that God would take away the gift of life from those who are embracing it and loving it the most. But, if we view death as a beginning and not as an end, then this piece takes on new meaning. After death comes new life, but we must be willing to let go and trust in God-an act that requires courage in the face of the unknown. Death is not always a physical death either. There are many things that we may die to throughout our lives. When we work to overcome such vices as ignorance, vengeance, hatred, and intolerance, we die to our old worldview and our previous way of being and are born into a better version of ourselves. We are transformed.

The Gospel proclaims, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” This verse reminds me of some of the men and women I met who have moved to New Orleans to volunteer all of their time to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. I met people who left high paying jobs, a sense of security, a network of friends and family, and everything that they knew, to come to New Orleans and offer everything they had to help alleviate some of the pain and sorrow that the destruction from the flood waters caused. These volunteers died to the life that they had built and planned in order to be of service to others. While they may never achieve fame or the recognition that their heroic efforts deserve, they will have changed many lives for the better because of their care. In this way, they epitomize the grain of wheat which upon dying brings new life.

When we make the commitment to God to give our lives to service it can be intimidating or frightening because it is unknown. We do not all have the ability to leave our homes and travel to places that have experienced devastation. But we can all do something, however small it may seem. In offering ourselves to God and knowing in our hearts that we are willing to follow and serve God and accept whatever that journey might entail, we allow ourselves to be transformed. Like a caterpillar that is transformed into a butterfly, we experience metamorphosis when we choose to go where God is calling us. By accepting the call to serve God, our end result mirrors that of the caterpillar as we are overcome by beauty and grace.

Katie Ainge

(Katie Ainge is a graduate from Marquette University in Wisconson and a Bernardin Scholar at CTU.)