An Invitation to Journey Home
“When you pray, go to your inner room…” – Mt 6:6
Today’s first reading (“Return to me with your whole heart.” – Jl 2:12) and Gospel (“When you pray, go to your inner room…” – Mt 6:6) invite us to an inward journey towards God, of going to our inner room—to our heart—where God awaits.
I don’t know about you, but the inner room of my heart can be one of the messiest places. I’m tempted to look away or judge what I see. And I certainly don’t always want others to see it. But all of my heart isn’t like that. I can recognize that on most days. And even still, my ways aren’t God’s ways, nor my vision God’s vision. My tendency to focus my gaze on the parts of me that aren’t “enough” is a temptation to prove myself, to strive for perfection through achievement, acquiring possessions, popularity or honors, or do more in order to be acceptable, loved, or valued.
Yet, it’s in our heart, our home with God, where God invites us to let ourselves be seen fully as we are. As St. John of the Cross reminds us, “When God looks, God always loves.” When I allow myself to receive God’s loving gaze, I’m reminded of my primary identity—God’s beloved. I take a step in clinging less to the results of my actions as my only way of self-identification. I take a step in letting go of my dependency on pleasing, performing, and perfecting for God and others.
Today, we’re called to take small steps through prayer, fasting, and giving as pilgrims to the heart of God, to our own heart, the heart of the church, to the heart of all creation.
Lord, help me to let my whole heart be seen by You and to allow Your merciful, loving gaze to transform me.
David Romero, SJ