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| Hermitage Museum Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn. 1606-1669 Return of the Prodigal Son |
Thanks to Jo Ann for contributing this post.
Educating The Heart
It
may be in these interesting, challenging times we are called to do
something different. To step beyond our normal thought and behavior.
“As
long as we belong to this world, we will remain subject to its
competitive ways and expect to be rewarded for all the good we do. But
when we belong to God, who loves us without conditions, we can live as
he does. The great conversion called for by Jesus is to move from
belonging to the world to belonging to God,” Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, Doubleday, 1994.
My
mind is caught by this idea of freeing myself from the competitive ways
of our society. More, More, and still More. I remember a conversation
with a Trump supporter. An educated woman: “Trump will run the country
like a business,” she said. A bit appalled I asked, “Are you sure we
want our country run like a business?”
Suppose
instead, we thought of our heart? Our deepest self? The part of me, of
you that wants to be kind, that wants the best for everyone, not just
the so-called winners of life’s frequently unfair competitions.
I think perhaps that is a purpose of religion in our lives: to help educate our hearts that there is a world beyond competition. And to help us build and appreciate that world.
The painting by Rembrandt at the beginning of the post appeared on the cover of the Nouwen book.
For a closer view of the Rembrandt picture, RT click on the picture and select OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW. Then clicking on the picture will enlarge it. Close the window to return to the post.
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