Saturday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 27)

A Healed Heart

Narrated by Renea Gernant

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19:8

This tax collector's heart had just been healed by Jesus. Before this, his diseased heart felt “The more I get, the better off I am.” Now he understood the true values of earthly and heavenly treasures, and his healthy heart knew “The more I give, the better off I am.”

It takes a long time for the healing power of Jesus’ wounds to heal the toxic virus of “stuff-ness” in the diseased heart. With extended exposure to the Christ of the Cross, however, miracles can happen in the most stubborn heart. Perhaps you can make that a goal for yourself in these last days of Lent.

REFLECT: In what ways can you be as generous as Zacchaeus?

PRAY: Continue to heal my heart, Lord, with your love and grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.