The Heart That Listens: True Wisdom and the Family of God

Prov 21:1-6.10-13, Psalm: 118, Lk 8:19-21

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Book of Proverbs speaks to us today with the voice of wisdom, reminding us that the human heart is not beyond the reach of God. “Like streams of water, the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord; wherever he pleases, he directs it.” This is a profound truth: God is sovereign over the hearts of all people, even the most powerful. No plan, no scheme, no human calculation can ultimately stand against the will of God. But the wise person is the one who aligns their heart with God’s will, who acts with justice, mercy, and humility.

Proverbs warns us against the temptation of pride, of relying on our own strength, of thinking that our plans are the final word. “All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the Lord who proves hearts.” The truly wise person recognizes that our ways are not God’s ways, and our thoughts are not His thoughts. We are called to trust in His providence, to seek His guidance, and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus redefines the family of God. His mother and brothers come to see Him, but they cannot reach Him because of the crowd. Jesus says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” This is the family of God: those who listen to the Word and obey it. It is not a matter of blood or lineage; it is a matter of faith and obedience. Mary is the perfect example of this, as she pondered the Word in her heart and gave her “yes” to God’s plan.

Saint John Chrysostom, reflecting on this Gospel, wrote, “If we wish to be the brothers of Christ, we must hear the word of God and keep it.” And Pope Francis has said, “The true family of Jesus is those who do the will of the Father, who listen to His word and put it into practice.”

This is the wisdom that Proverbs points to: a heart that listens to God and acts on His word. It is a wisdom that does not trust in its own plans, but in the Lord who guides the heart. It is a wisdom that knows that the family of God is not a closed circle, but an open invitation to all who will hear and obey.

Today, let us examine our hearts. Are we listening to the Word of God? Are we acting on it? Are we trusting in our own plans, or are we surrendering to the Lord who directs our hearts? Let us ask for the grace to be true members of the family of God, to hear His word, and to act on it with joy. Amen.

May God bless you all!