⁸ God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
    for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Dear God, I was listening to the Slow Theology podcast yesterday, and I was really struck by their discussion of this beatitude. Blessed are the pure in heart. What does it mean to be pure in heart? Does it mean to be sinless or does it mean to humble, repentant, and guileless? It’s the latter, but so many times, in the church, we act like it’s the former. We have an intolerance for sin in each other while we hide our own sin. My favorite quote from the episode was, “The pure in heart should be known more for their God-attentiveness than their sin-avoidance.” If I draw near to you then you will draw near to me.

I was at an Ash Wednesday service last night, and, for the first time, I got ashes on my forehead. I’m 55 and I’d never done that before. I can’t remember if it was before or after (I think it was after) the ashes I was having a real moment with you before communion. Your sacrifice, Jesus, of being beaten and bleeding–suffering–and then being killed for me really hit me. I had tears in my eyes. I could only whisper the Lord’s Prayer. You did that so I could draw near to you. You took care of the sin. You just wanted me. During the repentance part of the service, I examined my heart and did my best to repent. I know I missed things. How could I not? But you know the guilelessness of my heart.

Father, the more I see you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit by drawing near through humility, repentance, and transparency of soul, the more I will know you. I feel like I get to know you more each day. Help me to know you better today.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen