We Christians have so many opportunities to change our hearts. We make New Year’s resolutions, reflect on our heart literally and figuratively at Valentine’s Day and during Heart Month, and use Ash Wednesday (quite late this year) as our perennial call to change. But first we need to change our minds, for metanoia should be translated “change your mind.” Until my mind says “you must,” I don’t have the strength to get my heart in gear.

Richard Rohr in The Naked Now claims that a change of heart leads to a change of mind, and vice versa. Both must change to see properly. So perhaps changing my heart comes from thinking differently.  What do I need to think about differently this year?  Do I need to see my narcissism as a camouflage for some deep-seated wound that continually festers? Do I need to think about another’s conduct from a different perspective? Do I need to think about a different job or other life change?

O God, let me know how you want me to change my heart.