“John, in his wisdom, points out in inspired words, ‘If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things'(I John 3:20.) This is a gentle but salutary rebuke to our assumption that we know better than God! God, on any showing, is infinitely greater in wisdom and love than we are and, unlike us, knows all the factors involved in human behavior.

We are guilty of certain things, and these we must confess with all honesty, and make reparation where possible. But there may be many factors in our lives for which we are not really to blame at all. We did not choose our heredity; we did not choose the bad, indifferent, or excellent way in which we were brought up.

This is naturally not to say that every wrong thing we do, or every fear or rage to which we are subject today, is due entirely to heredity, environment, and upbringing. But it certainly does mean that we are in no position to judge ourselves; we simply must leave that to God, who is our Father and “is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” It is almost as if John is saying, “If God loves us, who are we to be so high and mighty as to refuse to love ourselves?” (J. B.Phillips in Spiritual Classics quoted in Renovare’s Weekly Digest for May 24, 2017).

◊  ◊  ◊  ◊  ◊

“Some things just take time. Skewed perspectives and behaviors developed over years of persuasion and practice rarely change in a moment’s recognition and repentance. Imbedded habits of thinking and acting, the deep grooves in our minds, hearts, and actions, surely can change, but the rhythms of spiritual transformation are most often slow, paced, measured, deliberate” (Chris Hall in Renovare Weekly Digest for June 14, 2017).

◊  ◊  ◊  ◊  ◊

“Contemplative prayer is like striking a tuning fork. All you can really do in the spiritual life is resonate to the true pitch, to receive the always-present message. Once you are tuned, you will receive, and it has nothing to do with worthiness or the group you belong to, but only inner resonance, a capacity for mutuality (see Matthew 7:7-11), which implies a basic humility. We must begin with the knowledge that the Sender is absolutely and always present and broadcasting; the only change is with the receiver station, you and me” (Richard Rohr in Daily Meditations for June 30, 2017).