In 2016, the leading cause of death is heart failure. The leading cause of accidental death is a growing opioid overdose epidemic called by the Center of Disease Control the worst in history as over a half a million people died from overdose in 2016. One is a death of a physical heart, the other a physical and a spiritual. Today’s readings are about a spiritual heart failure…deadly all the same.
We will experience a significant physical heart failure only once. But, a spiritual one… who knows how many times. The people in Matthew who constantly judge Jesus betray something horrible… deadly heart failure. The spiritual heart just doesn’t work.
The people are obviously hurt. I cannot help but think of lyrics of a John Denver song, “You dun stomped on my heart and you mashed that sucker flat. You just sorta stomped on my aorta.” The experience of being crushed can lead to us to become crushing to all in and around us. The aorta is sorta broke. So, we need healing of our very soul. We need Jesus. The people who were rejecting Jesus were the ones who needed him the most! How horrible is the spiritual disease which leads us to reject the very medicine we need!
So, are you ready? Every Friday it’s a good idea to take a spiritual inventory. “How’s your heart?” When you find a place which needs healing, ready it for Jesus. You may need prayer or confession or even intervention, but a disease stops being a disease the moment you begin to heal. Let Jesus in!
We of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement minister to over 180 men in a shelter who are suffering from substance abuse addiction. We struggle every day to open their hearts to the possibility of being healed. If you know someone who needs help or if you want to help, go to www.atonementfriars.org to learn more about the pain of addiction and the way to heal a heart! Or join the largest prayer ministry in the United States storming heaven for healing!
The V. Rev. Fr. Brian F. Terry, SA, is the Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and the present President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.
st juan diego interced to our lady of guadelopue for healing and protection for graandson from substance and mental illness our lady will not refuse any request of yours .also mama mary i need release and deliverance. join all the angels and saints in heaven for a miraculous outcome. im desperate for the preciouus blood of jesus to wash and cleaanse and also nourish my grandson and let your blood oh jesus b his choice today and everyday.and i also pray for daughter who is due for operation soon. guide the hands of the doctors and i ask all this in the naME OF JESUS FOR THEIR IS MIRACULOUS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS. THANKS OH JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH FOR ANSWERD PRAYRES AMEN AMEN AND AMEN.