Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the fifth week in ordinary time, February 11th, 2026

Delivered by Cendani from the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption Mamajang in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Kings 10: 1-10; Rs psalm 37: 5-6.30-31.39-40; Mark 7: 14-23.NEW HEART Our meditation today isentitled: New Heart. A husband and his wife for the past year have been inconflict and there seems no sign of resolving it. Then they both agreed todivorce through several steps of internal dan legal process. One of those stepsis that both went to meet the Parish Priest to ask for his opinion. Each ofthem defended one's own perspective and eventually became reason for divorce.Each considered that this decision was already final. Each had very strongself-interest to make it superior over another. For the Priest this is anexample of two old style of hearts. An old heart shows how one is so stubbornand living only for him or herself. The Pastor now had avery important task to change that old heart into a new heart. After giving hisopinion and advice, the Pastor invited each of them to do Adoration in front ofthe Blessed Sacrament. In the church, one sat far away from another for apersonal adoration and prayer. About one hour passed, they again met the Pastorin his office. Each said about his and her awareness of mistakes and arroganceso strongly exposed in the surface. One intended to forgive another. Then theydecided to resolve their problem and not to divorce their marriage. The couple finallyarrive at the moment of having a new heart. Each one becomes a new person. Thisexperience shows that the creation of a new heart cannot be managed solely byone's own effort. If it is without the intervention of God and others one cannot do anything, he or she can not become a new person. Sacraments andspiritual guidance are the two of many instruments that help a person toexperience a new life. One of the messagesof the word of God that encourages us to create a new heart is as whatproclaimed in today's readings. The Word of God basically contains God's wisdomon how to live properly in the following of Christ. Our choices must find itsplace there, as did King Solomon who made the divine wisdom of God to attractthe attention of the Queen of Sheba and the whole world. If we choose andalways live out the Lord's wisdom, God provides and perfects all in us. A new heart is aclean and healthy heart. Dirt, impurity, slander, hatred, envy, and anger mustbe removed from there. Jesus asks us not to keep all of those vices in ourhearts, to store them so dearly as our wealth. All that defiles or damages usmust be removed through an examination of conscience and the reception of the Sacramentof Reconciliation. This can be done because of the help from others and thecare of the holy Church. This has absolutely no connection with and withoutabstaining food. Food or drink has never been linked to creating a new heart.The new heart is a spiritual aspect in us, while eating and drinking are thematter of the stomach and the body. They are so different from one to another!  Let's pray. O God Almighty, may YourSpirit guide us always in wisdom to be united in Jesus Christ through ourlives, our words and deeds. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of theFather.