Do not let your hearts be troubled
I love people and have never shied away from talking or listening to their good times and problems. Most of the conversations are positive. However, this week I received two phone calls from people with troubled hearts. I know them well enough to know they have a relationship with Jesus.
The first out of state call was from a parent whose son had two of his friends died. The son had a tooth pulled with complications. The daughter has medical issues that are hopefully being resolved. However, the daughters husband was Baker Acted in the psych ward for a week. This person also complains about doctors that have an accents but refuses hearing aids.
The next out of state call was from another state. The person’s son was recently divorce. He has money from the sale of his house, but is temporarily living at the parents small house with a teenage grandson. the house if 800 square foot. The result is that everyone is getting on each others nerves. All they do is argue and are verbally abusive.
Trouble! We all know people like my above examples.
What should I say to my friends?
Jesus says, Do not let your hearts be troubled.
God looks at our hearts and souls in the long run. No one goes through life without a little trouble. However, humans do not see past the immediate trouble before them. Even Jesus had trouble from the drama of His birth to His death and Resurrection.
Jesus also said in today’s Gospel, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
So let us apply this Gospel to my two friends. What should I tell them? The answer is simple.
Nothing!
I listened to their problems and gave empathy. The advise you or I would give would be useless. They would not listen completely. ” Yah But !”, would be an answer.
As a friend I listened, gave empathy and my love. That was not all.
Two days ago I started a novena to Saint Joseph. It is a nine day commitment and it is one of my favorite novenas. I cannot cure their troubled hearts but Jesus is the way. I have faith that the next calls will be more positive, because Jesus is the cure for a troubled hearts for everyone of us. You and I are included in that promise.
Psalm 2 says I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.” This quote came twice in our readings today. Jesus is the way and we are His sons and daughters. If we follow the way our hearts will not be troubled.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
Picture Credit“Heart Bench” by Kim Siever is marked with CC PDM 1.0
