Monday, January 23 (10), 2023

Js. 2:14-26; Mk. 10:46-52

The Apostle points at the “hidden man of the heart” [1Peter 3:4] as an object of our most serious and diligent care: we ought to adorn ourselves by forming him within. 

What is this secret man of the heart, after all?  His image gets implanted in the heart when it becomes home for every good attitude and kind feeling.  Examine these feelings and attitudes, and you will see the face of the man hidden in the heart.  Here they are: the “divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness”, ─ writes St. Peter, ─ and, “giving all diligence” on your part, “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity” [2Peter 1:3-7].  St. Paul also has the following to say about the inner virtues of a Christian heart: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” [Gal. 5:22-23], and further: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering… And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts” [Col. 3:12-15].

If you put together all these good elements as members into one spiritual body,  there will emerge a beautiful face of the hidden man of the heart: strive, then, to make him dwell in your own heart as well.

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