How's Your Heart?

Psalm 95:8 urges us, “Do not harden your heart.” We usually think of hardening our hearts against God when our desires and plans are thwarted. However, as we are seeing in these days of political polarization, we also have a tendency to harden our hearts against our neighbor.

Surely God disagrees with many of the choices we make that harm ourselves and others, and yet God never writes us off. Although eventually we have to deal with the consequences of our actions, we are never cut off from God’s mercy and forgiveness. Our gratitude should lead us to extend the same forbearance to our neighbor.

We do not know what family/religious background, life experiences, and type of education inform people’s decisions, judgments, and attitudes. It is charitable to assume that all people are doing the best they can given their life circumstances and be willing to listen to them, for only then will we find common ground in areas such as love of family, music, or nature even if we have to agree to disagree about whether to wear masks, welcome immigrants, or expand the social safety net.

At our virtual Oblate Renewal Day at the Mount, a participant said that when she feels anger or impatience with someone, she imagines herself extending her hands over the person and praying for his or her healing. The type of healing that may occur is up to God—but our desire for wholeness for another fosters wholeness in ourselves and helps us let go of anger and judgment.

If we want to live in an inclusive, peaceful society, we must enflesh that desire by welcoming all others, not just those we like and agree with, and extending peace to everyone. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” If I want to see a world where people resist hardening their hearts and exhibit tolerance, I must practice these values in my own life.