Michael St. Pierre

August 1, 2022

The Invitation to Whole-heartedness

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (119) from Mass features one line which could get lost if we but slow down long enough to hear it, “May I be wholehearted towards your laws…” (v. 80).

What are you whole-hearted about? Golf? Food? A new boat? The neighborhood in which you grew up?

In my experience, being whole-hearted is elusive. We can become “all in” on things that we aren’t even aware. For my family, Boston sports falls into that category. It just sort of happened. The thought of rooting for another team is unthinkable.

That’s partly why I can’t stand Connecticut- half of its residents root for NY and the other for Boston.

This whole-hearted thing takes time, lots of shared experiences and a sense of enjoyment. As this process relates to God, we are invited to be fully His. Once again, this is why our community is so valuable- we do not learn how to be a disciple on our own. The Body of Christ is necessary, imperfect and good.

As individuals, we also need our individual prayer time in order to grow in whole-hearted mess. This time, often in the morning, builds in us a greater resolve to be whole-hearted. Each day, we surrender a bit more. Each day, we are molded a bit further.

My invitation today: sit with Psalm 119, v. 80 and ask the Lord to help you to be more whole-hearted today than you were yesterday.

Father, may I hold nothing back from you. May I be fully yours.