“See now and listen to me . . .

God speaks into my heart,

Then I choose the words

To shape the message, so you

May understand and know

What God wants us to understand and know. “ *

Mattie J.T. Stepanek, (1990-2004), a young boy with a rare fatal form of muscular dystrophy left a legacy of being a poet and a peacemaker. At a very young age, Mattie “danced” with the musings of God speaking to his heart … he called them heartsongs… He set out on a mission to evangelize the world with his message of peace, knowing that with his broken body, time was of essence.  Mattie invited us into his most intimate moments with God. He embodied love, the deep listening of prayer, acceptance and trust…faith. Mattie, wise beyond his years, was also a little boy who philosophized that we should play after every storm.

Today, we are invited into a most intimate moment between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus speaks into Peter’s heart, probing…Do you love me enough to continue my mission as shepherd… will you shape my message to feed the world with your life even at the risk of losing it?  

We may be tempted to wonder why Jesus entrusts Peter with his mission, the same Peter to whom he once said, “get behind me Satan,” who at times embarrassed him and at times liked to play. Jesus chooses out of love not perfection. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Jesus continues to choose us out of love. He continues to entrust us in our brokenness to become wounded healers and shepherds. He chooses us to shape our preaching, despite the cost, to stand up to the attitudes and actions that are against the very core of love for humanity and God’s desires for oneness in the world.

As we tend to the world’s needs embodying our particular heartsong, may we tap into our most intimate moments with God in childlike openness.  Do I love enough to be an effective healer in today’s world... do I feed myself enough to help me face the storms I encounter as I strive feed others?  In the spirit of the young child philosopher, I pray we recommit each day to the inner and public work needed to sustain us in the preaching mission and to take the time to pray and sing Alleluia!

*From Messenger, the Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek