Wednesday after Epiphany

1 John 4:11-18
15 Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. 
16 God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 

Mark 6:45-52

46 And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. 

49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 

52 They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

Acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God. Acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God involves experiencing His power. This necessitates recognizing the encounters with Jesus that take place in everyone's life. 

A hardened heart cannot comprehend the encounter with Jesus, similar to the events of the loaves and walking on sea.

St. John Paul II said, 'The Rosary is a powerful spiritual tool for cultivating a meek and humble heart'". Consistent use of the Rosary is offer profound healing for childhood wounds by providing spiritual comfort, replacing missing maternal love, fostering peace, and connecting individuals to Christ's healing power.

A hardened heart is the enemy of repentance. A stubborn, unfeeling, or resistant heart, often due to ongoing sin, pride, or pain, blocks true repentance by making a person unwilling to admit wrongdoing, feel sorry, or turn back to God, right paths, becoming insensitive to spiritual calls and truth. Repentance requires a tender, teachable heart, but a hardened one stays self-righteous and ignores conviction, preventing the deep change needed.

Repentance is a process of determined and relentless pursuit to align with grace. 

 

Reasons for a hardened heart. 

One primary reason for a hardened heart is childhood experiences that affect innocence, particularly before the age of three. Parenting during this period is crucial, as it is when trust begins to develop. Psychologists identify the first stage of development, lasting until about 18 months, as "Trust vs. Mistrust,” where consistent care is essential for building a sense of security. Infants form attachments by seeking reliable responses to their cues, such as crying or smiling. Consistent care encourages secure attachment, while neglect can result in insecure or disorganized attachment. This is also the most rapid period of brain development, where responsive relationships lay the groundwork for lifelong learning, behavior, and health, establishing trust, emotional regulation, and social skills that influence future success and well-being.

Repeated addictions, feelings of hatred, selfish behavior, engagement in harmful practices, and a desire for money and power, along with frequent exposure to violent or unsettling content and excessive use of social media, are factors that can lead to emotional detachment and a reduced capacity for empathy and compassion.

Addictions: Repeated reliance on substances or behaviors can lead to a narrow focus on self-gratification and detachment from responsibilities and relationships, eroding empathy.

Hatred and Selfishness: These are direct forms of emotional detachment and hostility toward others. They block the natural flow of compassion and a sense of shared humanity.

Associating with evil practices: Immoral actions and a deliberate embrace of harmful behaviors desensitize a person's conscience, making it easier to ignore the suffering of others.

Greed for money and power: An excessive desire for external control and possessions prioritizes material gain over human connection and moral integrity. This self-serving drive often justifies the exploitation or mistreatment of others. 

A personal encounter with Jesus in today's environment can be hindered by various factors that pull focus away from the spiritual life and genuine connection with God. These include the constant pull of worldly affairs, the overwhelming pace of modern life, negative spiritual influences, and internal barriers like preconceived ideas and spiritual apathy.

Factors that prevent a personal encounter with Jesus in today's environment

External and Environmental Factors.

Worldly Concerns: The pursuit of "riches and pleasures of life," such as financial success, entertainment, and material possessions, can choke out the desire for God's truth. Even "good things," like work or family activities, can become distractions if they take priority over a relationship with Christ.

Busy Life and Hurry: The pervasive hustle and bustle of modern life, with endless to-do lists and packed schedules, makes it difficult to find quiet time for reflection, prayer, and listening for God's voice. This constant "hurry" is considered an enemy of spiritual life, preventing individuals from being present in the moment and open to God's presence in ordinary activities.

Social Media and Gossip: The digital age contributes to perpetual distraction, short attention spans, and superficial engagement. Social media often promotes vanity, comparison, and a desire for affirmation ("likes" and "followers") rather than genuine spiritual growth and deep, authentic relationships. Gossip, a focus on "who is doing what to whom," further devolves minds into trivialities instead of focusing on important ideas or spiritual matters.

Troubled Life and Worried Wanderings: External pressures, trials, and the chaos and confusion of the world can lead to anxiety, stress, and overwhelming worry. These concerns consume thoughts and energy, making it hard to fix one's heart on Christ and trust in God's sovereign control. 

Internal and Spiritual Factors.

Demonic Influences: The Bible teaches that a spiritual battle is ongoing. Demonic forces, though ultimately under God's authority, seek to deceive, distract, and oppress people through schemes like mental warfare (anxiety, obsessive thoughts) and temptations to sin, pride, or unforgiveness, all of which hinder a walk with God.

Preconceived Expectations: Having fixed ideas about how a Jesus encounter should happen can lead to missed opportunities when God works in unexpected ways. Pride, thinking one already knows everything, or an unwillingness to hear God say something "we don't like" can also block a person from an authentic connection.

Spiritual Dullness/Apathy: A lack of spiritual discipline, an attitude of consumerism towards faith, or simply neglecting practices like prayer and Scripture reading can lead to spiritual dryness and an inability to recognize God's presence. This apathetic state makes people less likely to prioritize spiritual growth and less sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.