If you want to see God working in your life and grow closer to Him, you have to give up your pet sins, stop grooving on the lies of hate that you enjoy and open your heart. That was Pope Francis’ message at his general audience this week.
From National Catholic Reporter:
“To see God, you don’t need to change your glasses or your vantage point or change theological authors who teach the way. What is needed is to free the heart from its deceptions. This is the only path,” he said.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus, because, as he told them, they were foolish and “slow of heart” to believe all that the prophets had said.
Being blind to Christ comes from a heart that is “foolish and slow,” closed to the Spirit and content with one’s own perceptions, the pope said.
“When we realize that our worst enemy often is hidden in our heart” then one experiences a “maturation” in faith. The most “noble” of battles, he said, is the one against the lies and deceptions inside oneself that lead to sin, he said.
“Sins change our inner vision, the evaluation of things, they make you see things that are not true or that at least are not ‘that’ true,” he said.
Cleansing and purifying the heart, then, is a lifelong process of renunciation and liberating oneself from the evil inside one’s heart, making room, instead, for the Lord. It means recognizing the ugly and evil parts inside oneself and letting one’s life be led and taught by the Holy Spirit, he added.
Seeing God also means being able to see him in creation, how he is working in one’s life, in the sacraments and in others, especially those who are poor and suffering, Francis said.
“It is serious work and above all it is God at work in us — during the trials and purifications of life — that leads to great joy, and true and profound peace.”
“Do not be afraid. Let us open the doors of our hearts to the Holy Spirit so he may cleanse them” and ultimately lead people to the fullness of joy and peace in heaven.
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