How can I reflect on the hardness of hearts, as seen in the hardwood tree on our property, “The Glenn,” the natural cycles of life in ecosystems, and what I’ve heard on CAPN: “The WTC: The Podcast,” Episode 001, to better understand the message, “On the contrary, their hearts were hardened”❓
Gospel
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,
while he dismissed the crowd.
And when he had taken leave of them,
he went off to the mountain to pray.
When it was evening,
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,
for the wind was against them.
About the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them.
But when they saw him walking on the sea,
they thought it was a ghost and cried out.
They had all seen him and were terrified.
But at once he spoke with them,
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
They were completely astounded.
They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
Reflection
In the rhythm of nature, there is a profound wisdom, yet humanity often chooses a hardened path. I see this in the hardwood tree on our property, “The Glenn,” standing resilient through seasons of wind and weather. Its strength comes not from resisting nature’s cycles but from adapting to them. Do I, too, allow myself to grow with the seasons of life, or have I hardened my heart to the changes I am called to embrace❓
Ecosystems reveal an intricate web of dependence and renewal, where nothing is wasted, and everything has its role. Yet, as the Pope reminds us in On Care for Our Common Home, we often disrupt these cycles with greed and indifference. Like the hardened hearts of those in Scripture, do we ignore the lessons written in the very soil and sky around us, choosing instead the path of convenience over care❓
well we went Digital two years ago but if you’d like to get a hard copy send us a check for $25 make it payable to the 5:30
and you’ll get a hard copy of the newspaper when it comes out 20 times throughout the course of the year I want 21:26
making their way through here this year the one that we are trying very hard to get and we are in negotiation the issue
On CAPN: “The WTC: The Podcast,” Episode 001, I heard reflections that challenged me to consider the hard truths of my faith and my life. Just as I must break through the hardened surface of water for my livestock to drink, I wonder if I must also break through the hardened places in my heart to let living water flow freely.
The Gospel recounts how the disciples, in their fear and confusion, hardened their hearts to the miracles happening before them. How often do I, too, fail to recognize the miracles in my own life, caught up in doubts or distractions❓ Am I so busy searching for answers that I miss the simple truths in front of me❓
As I look to nature, to my faith, and to the call to care for creation, I must ask myself: Am I ready to let go of my hardened defenses and truly live in harmony with God’s will❓ Or will I, like those in the Gospel, continue to hear the words,
It is hard for us to accept that the way natural ecosystems work is exemplary: plants synthesize nutrients which feed herbivores; these in turn become food for carnivores, which produce significant quantities of organic waste which give rise to new generations of plants.
FROM PARAGRAPH 22 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME