Heart Talk

  My dear brothers and sisters, Today is the Sunday of Light, and we are blessed with a bright day. In the middle of this Lenten season, we are once again invited to reflect on the light that the Lord has brought into this world. In the first reading, we see how God asks Samuel to select a king from the sons of Jesse. Jesse presents all his sons—strong, handsome, and impressive. Samuel thinks that Eliab, the eldest, must surely be the chosen one. But God tells him, “No.” God reminds Samuel that He does not look at outward appearance, but at the heart. Then God tells Samuel that there is still one more son. David is brought in—the youngest, a shepherd, someone not considered very important. He was out in the field, tending the sheep. Yet it is David whom God chooses and anoints as king. This teaches us a powerful lesson: God looks at the heart, not at external appearance. This becomes an examination of conscience for us. When we are in public, we try to behave well. We pre...

  Have you ever experienced real thirst in your life? Not just a small desire for water, but a deep, overwhelming thirst? My mind goes back to Good Friday. In my place, we have a custom on that day: we pray the Way of the Cross and walk long distances—sometimes from one parish to another, even up a mountain. It is often very hot and humid. As we walk, we sweat, we grow tired, and we become truly thirsty. Along the way, some generous families place water in front of their homes for the pilgrims. When we stop and drink that water, it feels like the most delicious water we have ever tasted. Why? Because we are truly thirsty. In the Old Testament, God promised the people of Israel that He would lead them out of slavery in Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey. But on their journey, there came a time when they had no water to drink. They began to complain against their leader, Moses: “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? At least there we had water!” Moses turned to God in...