There is a funny video online where a couple wanted to find out which one of them was more loved by their dog. They stood with their dog in the middle, and then at the same time, they suddenly ran away in opposite directions to see which one the dog would chase after. When they ran, the dog became stressed, barked, and looked back and forth rapidly. He didn’t know which one to run to and eventually twirled around emphatically in place as if he was trying to reach both of his owners at the same time. In a sense, the dog had a divided heart. He was torn and couldn’t commit to one person and, as a result, was stuck and spun out of control.
My brothers and sisters, we, too, can have divided hearts. Sometimes we choose God and virtue, other times, and we choose ourselves and sin. And we can quickly become stuck and spin out of control if we aren’t careful. God desires us to have an undivided heart, like the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so we can love him, with a pure, obedient and entire love, like she does.
But what exactly is an undivided heart? An undivided heart is a heart totally after the heart of Christ. It is fully committed to God’s will and completely trusting and loving him with all aspects of our lives, even when things don’t make sense. Sin, fear, and selfishness divide us from God and can prevent us from fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.
At the core of Mary’s being is a deeply reflective, sinless, and undivided heart that is one with Christ. She totally loves God with a burning charity and trusted Him entirely even when she didn’t always understand.
In the Gospel reading, after finding Jesus in the temple and hearing him say that he was in his Father’s house, Mary was perplexed about his words, but she kept it all in her heart, contemplating what it meant and trusting that it was true. Her undivided heart was born from the close relationship with Jesus and her personal pondering of what Jesus’ real identity is – the son of God incarnate, and the savior of the world.
My friends, so too, for us, by pondering in silent prayer and treasuring who Jesus really is to us, our hearts can also become undivided. For when we are convicted of the personal love Jesus has for us, and believe that he is always with us, we can serve and trust God more completely.
Today is a great opportunity for us to reflect: What is dividing our hearts from God?
When we face a difficult challenge, do we fear, or do we trust that Jesus is really with us? Are we patient in our sufferings, or do we complain about them? Are we so caught up in the constant noise of television and gossip, or do we take time in silence to be in solitude with our heavenly Father?
By the intercession of Our Lady and our efforts to follow her example of total love and trust by pondering who Jesus really is, we can slowly empty ourselves and draw closer to the heart of Christ to be single-hearted for Him. This way, our hearts will not be like the dog, spinning out of control, unsuccessfully chasing two different things at the same time.
And so, we pray with the Psalmist: “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.”