Jesus Is Pure of Heart

Jesus, the Beloved of God, has a pure heart. Having a pure heart means willing
one thing. Jesus wanted only to do the will of his heavenly Father. Whatever Jesus
did or said, he did and said it as the obedient Son of God: "What I say is what
the Father has taught me; he who sent me is with me, and has not left me to myself,
for I always do what pleases him" (John 8:28-29). There are no divisions in Jesus'
heart, no double motives or secret intentions. In Jesus there is complete inner
unity because of his complete unity with God.
Becoming like Jesus is growing into purity of heart. That purity is what gave Jesus
and will give us true spiritual vision.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen

Moments’, or reflective prayer experiences. Each one has a theme, scripture passages, excerpts for St. Ignatius, questions to ponder, and suggestions for practical actions that might make the wisdom from that day more tangible. I have enjoyed using this book to take an hour a week to go on a “mini-retreat” in my own home. And though I have mostly used it by myself, I could imagine sharing the insights from the exercises with my spouse or a soul-friend.

Sleeping with Bread is similar except that it is family-friendly and has good pictures! It encourages us to ask ourselves two questions: “For what am I most grateful? For what am I least grateful?” The book then goes on to describe a process by which we might ask these questions each day on our own or with our family or another group of people. By asking these questions, not only do we get to know ourselves and others we love better, we can also better discern God’s will. For, generally speaking, the authors say, God’s will is for us to do more of whatever we are most grateful for or whatever gives us most life.

I have found the questions and practices in these books help me to be more attentive to the ways God is at work in my everyday life. By regularly reflecting on my days, I begin to recognize certain themes that point me toward God’s deepest longings and desires for me. In short, they have helped me notice the fingerprints of God on my life.

When we invite friends for a meal, we do much more than offer them food for their
bodies. We offer friendship, fellowship, good conversation, intimacy, and closeness.
When we say: "Help yourself ... take some more ... don't be shy ... have another
glass," we offer our guests not only our food and our drink but also ourselves.
A spiritual bond grows, and we become food and drink for one another other.

In the most complete and perfect way, this happens when Jesus gives himself to us
in the Eucharist as food and drink. By offering us his Body and Blood, Jesus offers
us the most intimate communion possible. It is a divine communion. (INbox today )

God of healing mercy, in Jesus your Son you stretch out your hand in compassion, restoring the sinner, healing the sick, and lifting up those bowed down. Embrace us now in your loving care, particularly those afflicted with mental , emotional ,problems  for whom this intention is offered. May the Spirit of Jesus bring us all health in soul and body, that with joy and thanksgiving we may praise you for your goodness, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.