As we grow in the spiritual life we become open to a conversion of the whole self. Not relying simply on logic or emotions from our devotions, Jesus asked in his first commandment to love God with our whole being which includes our body, our mind, our heart and our strength. He also wants us to have a childlike faith in order to become a part of the coming kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.” This requires a childlike faith because it is a gift from “Our Father.”
We need to look to Jesus’ love to point the way. His love extended beyond his mind and his feelings to the way he ministered. His compassion showed itself in action with the curing of many people who had faith in him. We will be given a faith like a mighty tree even as it receives life from the smallest of seeds. A tree will have many branches, but it will receive its life from its trunk. This is the same love that brought into being all creation which extends in to the farthest star in the cosmos. When we celebrate the feast of St. Peter (heart) and Paul (mind) together, let us be reminded of the connection of our heart and mind as the wholistic approach to our faith.
- Does your faith include your mind, heart and your whole being?
- How does God reveal God’s self to your mind?
- How does God reveal God’s self through to your heart, the center of whole being?
O God, let your love penetrate my whole being, body, mind, heart and actions.