In my last post for the #JubileeOfConsecratedLife I’m reflecting on this from the prophet Ezekiel writes:
“I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead.”
His words bring me back to the heart of the Christian call and our Jubilee celebrations, the call of love. We are called into being by a loving God. Throughout our lives we are called to grow in that love, allowing it to shape our actions and relationships.
Inevitably the challenges and struggles of daily life draw us away from that goal. We act in ways that are less than loving. We put ourselves before others, considering our lives as more valuable than theirs, our needs as more worthy of being met.
Even while we do this, we know in our hearts it’s not good for us. We know that all humans flourish best when resources are equally shared, when everyone has what they need to live well. Our families, our communities, our societies work best when everyone has access to all they need to live with security and dignity.
A jubilee allows us to reset this balance. It calls us to undo the injustices that have crept in over the years. It’s a chance to return freedom to those who have been enslaved and to return stolen or lost property to those who have lost it.
Our jubilee celebrations call us to allow God to turn our stony hearts back into hearts of flesh so that we can respond with love and compassion to our neighbours once again.
Where do you most need God fill your heart with love and compassion?