(~) Blessed are the pure in heart Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

One of the most genuinely pure in heart people I have known died far too young. Keith was a sailor in the United States Navy, a gentle and hard working man with a dream. He wanted to become a nurse and help people. Keith would frequently go out of his way to befriend sailors who were new and lonely, often away from their homes for the first time. He was a spiritually sensitive person who was only in his twenties when the unthinkable happened. And it happened unexpectedly. I was the ship's chaplain and was often the first toknow of unfortunate events. I will always remember the phone call.

A simple routine visit to the dentist had revealed this young man had some unusual swelling of the neck. The dentist insisted on an x-ray. The x-ray revealed a massive tumor surrounding the heart. Emergency surgery began. Keith's mother had flown in to be with her son as he underwent surgery. The sailor died several hours later.

I met with this grieving mother several times. She insisted I preach a memorial message for Keith's Navy friends with, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." She clearly understood her son. She also knew that our hearts are the center of our being, including our minds, will, and emotions. During the memorial service, dozens of his friends wept openly, the tears being a fitting offering in honor of Keith's life.

God, sometimes we forget our lives reflect your Presence in our hearts. Purify our hearts, so we may see you more clearly. Give us your heart. Amen.

from "Living as the Beloved" published by Chi Rho Press Used with permisson Please visit the Chi Rho Press Web site. http://www.ChiRhoPress.com