Psalm 119: 145-176; Exod. 7:8-24; 2 Cor. 2:14-3:6; Mark 10:1-16

The relationship of God’s word to human hearts is a predominant theme in all of today’s readings. From the Old Testament, the Psalter holds fast to the word of God in the middle of his suffering. His heart “stands in awe” of God’s word.

In Exodus, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened against God’s words repeatedly as he refused to let God’s people free to worship. Pharaoh’s stubborn refusal, even after the dramatic signs on the Nile performed by God through Aaron and Moses, serve as a stark contrast to the faithful cries from the heart of the Psalter!

In the excerpt from 2 Corinthians, Paul points to the ways in which Jesus’ sacrifice opens an entirely new relationship between God, God’s word and humanity: you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Through faith in Christ, the human heart is transformed by the living God! Is my heart open to this reality of Jesus’ awesome gift that I received at my baptism? Do I spend enough time with God’s word to understand more clearly what the Holy Spirit has written on my heart? How can I grow in my relationship with Jesus so that my spiritual gifts can be put to God’s use?