Harden not your hearts
23rd Sunday A
Cobh
6 September 2026
My friends,
A feature of our time and in the Western World especially is the insistence on freedom of religion and freedom of belief within the bounds of the law. This insistence has deep roots in history because so many suffered because they belonged to a particular Church or group. It led, overtime, to the conviction that religious faith should be kept out of public affairs because of its tendency to create conflict and division. Sadly, there is still much evidence in many parts of the world where this is the case. Be Catholic and Protestant, between Shiite and Sunni Muslim, between Liberal and Orthodox Jews, between Orthodox and Catholic communities.
All of this division comes ultimately from deep devotion and spiritual conviction – of the pathway to spiritual truth and fulfilment of life. An added sad dimension to these divisions has been their exploitation by political leaders to fuel a fire of religious nationalism, such is the case in modern India with the cultivation of a Hindu Nationalism to the detriment of all of other religious faith. It can only lead to polarization, division and violence.
The Readings today taken together can give us something of a mixed message about how we manage division in the community. The various options are there – give the one stepping out of line a stern warning, with the threat of expulsion or exclusion. Another option is to confront them with some members of the community and if he/she doesn’t heed them, then cast them out.
The redeeming message is in the final line of the Gospel “For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.”
My friends, the work of reconciliation and healing of division is really difficult, personally and in a group be it family or neighbours, a committee or a workplace.
The response of the Psalm today goes to the core of our life journey.
“O that today you would listen to his voice
Harden not your hearts”
Division caused by a sense of hurt or insult or mistreatment hardens our hearts whereby, we find it so difficult to let go and forgive. Hardness of heart can deepen to become a poisonous bitterness, going deeper to a pit of darkness and anger.
It is no wonder then we have so many agencies whose total work is to find resolution to conflict.
The reason we gather in the name of the Lord Jesus is precisely that we may listen to his voice and avoid a hardness of heart. No matter what our religious faith or philosophy of life is, it has an impact on one another. An essential component in society is the need to accept and respect difference in temperament, personality and gifts/flaws.
If we are blessed with such a group or community, give thanks – its wholesome richness enables us to cherish life in all its diversity and beauty.
