Who directs our hearts

 Each day in the evening we see our priorities laid out in attending to international, national, and local news followed by a commentary on finance and sport and then the weather. Often this can relate to important events which can have significant impacts on our lives. We need to be aware of the environment in which we live. The question that is often raised in my life is does this just inform me or form me? So often I can be informed about the opinions of others and circumstances which deeply affect the lives of others. Yet this can go more deeply than the style of broadcaster we prefer or the medium of communication that we access. It rather strikes at the heart of what we are called to reflect on and what moves us into action.

We see this, especially in St Paul's letter to Timothy. In this, he notes that we should pray for those in leadership so that we can live religious and reverent lives. Especially in the light of discussions about the future of the monarchy, we can see the discussion focussing on what pleases us rather than what embodies our life of faith. This should be the question that we need to dwell on about who forms our hearts and direction. I believe this was the question that lies at the heart of the plenary council and synodality. It is not about shaping the Church in our own image and likeness but rather how God shapes our hearts and minds so that we can bear faithful witness to the life of Jesus Christ in the Church.

Yet so often it is the pressing issues of finances and resources which engage us first rather than seeing how these are a means rather than an end. We are called to reflect on what God desires for us and how our mission is shaped by that consideration. By prayerful reflection on scripture and the voice of the Church over the ages, we notice how God's voice becomes manifest. We start to notice the environment in which we live and what transforms the lives of people. Then we are called to act in a way that brings compassion to the centre of what we do. We start to see the world, not as a way of making money but as a gift that shares with us the goodness of God's creation.