A Heart Like Solomon’s
If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would you ask for? To win the lottery? World peace? A cure for cancer? How to pick just three!? In 1 Kings 3:5-12, Solomon asks for an understanding heart, and God is pleased. How can I, too, develop an understanding heart?
Maybe it starts with a sincere desire: a prayer. Ask and we shall receive, so to speak. Knock and the door will be opened. We can also deepen our hearts’ understanding through service. St Anthony’s offers many opportunities to connect with other parishioners while serving people experiencing the loss of a loved one, an illness, poverty, or homelessness. What better way to grow in understanding than by encountering others during difficult times like these? We invite you to get involved for a few minutes or a few hours, just once or regularly.
We also need understanding hearts when someone says something that gets under our skin or when controversies arise. It seems like we have become afraid to talk about things that matter in case someone disagrees; instead, we talk with people who agree with us and we end up in echo chambers. Studies show our country is more divided today than at any time since the Civil War. More than ever, we need hearts formed in Scripture, Sacraments, and Catholic Social Teaching. Hearts that slow down during heated moments to remember we are united as the Body of Christ. Hearts that listen to understand, not to respond or change someone, so the person we’re listening to feels understood. Our committee is providing several opportunities to learn and practice specific skills to bridge division and we invite you to join us:
- “God is Here in Overcoming Bias” presentation is Wednesday, 9/20 6:45-8:15pm with renowned guest speaker Derek Mosely, and registration is open on the website
- “God is Here in Overcoming Bias” discussion is Wednesday, 9/27 6:45-8:15pm
- “God is Here in Bridging Divides: Purple America movie and discussion” is Wednesday 10/25 6:30-8:30pm
- “God is Here in Bridging Divides: Resetting the Table Workshop” is Saturday, 1/13 time TBD
I pray for understanding hearts, for all of us, as we go about our daily lives, and as we serve others. Please see the Human Concerns section of the website or bulletin for more information on more upcoming programing and volunteer opportunities. And if you want to connect with us directly, we would love to here from you at BurkeKLY@gmail.com .
Blessings,
Kate Burke
Human Concerns Committee Chair
Parish Connections
