Listen to the heart of the mother

OK, it's a bit poetic, but the image of listening to the heart speaks eloquently of our ability to be intimately close to others. To be able to listen to someone else's heart necessitates quiet on ours. It also calls for purposeful effort in order to quiet the rest of the noise in our lives so that we can be attentive to another voice that sometimes provides advise, sometimes provides consolation and always provides a welcome.

Recognizing this kind of relationship between two human beings, we say that they are deeply in love, or that they have a unique relationship and a bond that can probably withstand any storm (ah, so even trying to explain poetry necessitates a certain degree of poetic license).

Last week, while I was traveling in Southern Poland, I had a chance (along with my travel companions) to visit the Shrine of Jasna Gora (pronounce it Yajna Gora). The literal translation is 'bright mountain'. This is monastery where the famed Icon of the Black Madonna is found, and it's a place where words do not do enough to explain what's really going on. That's because the secret to this place of pilgrimage lies in the heart of the pilgrims who arrive, to unite their own hearts with the beating heart of the Mother who has sustained them throughout generations, and who still offers her advise and consolation today to the weary soul. There's a profound peace that pervades even the throngs of crowds who seem to undulate in and out of the doors. This is a place where people find God!

Jasna Gora is only one example of the places where human hearts find peace. There are many such shrines throughout the world, but few which have the continuous history and commitment that can be witnessed there. Catholics who have been fortunate enough to have been entrusted with a deep appreciation of our faith understand this truth. Others who are seeking may very well continue their seeking.

As it turns out, I spoke of this place of pilgrimage in my homily this past weekend, drawing a comparison between the human heart that thirsts to be in communion with the beating heart of the Mother, and the healing presence of Jesus which is able to restore wholeness even to the tortured heart of the one who pleads for mercy. As providence would have it, the scripture readings this weekend presented the story of a sinner who came into the presence of Jesus to ask for forgiveness. Jesus welcomed her, forgave her sins and then sent her on her way.

Can we do the same?