Sometimes our confessions regarding our life commitments towards the Kingdom are over-stated. We pledge to empty ourselves of everything that hinders our participation in this dream… only to later realise that we have no capacity, or actual desire, to do so.

Not every heart is fertile ground for the seed of the Kingdom to grow, bloom and flourish. But of course, every person would love to think that his heart is fertile. Unfortunately, for many, it’s little more than an illusive state of self-understanding.

Many a human person has suffered too much of life’s damaging contaminative elements, too defected to possess the capacity to live up to their express commitments. Even those that haven’t don’t seem to have been spared the original state of fallenness spoken of by the Western Fathers.

Ultimately, it’s the man who beats himself on his chest upon looking at God, and who says, “Lord, forgive me, an unworthy man”, who catches a glimpse of the Kingdom. In his realisation of his unworthiness, he enters into the realm of divine favour. But unfortunately, depravity has a way of deception that drives many into the self-illusory notion that they are free from its clutches.

The hearts of these are infertile. The agricultural farmers call it “bad soil” that kills every seed which falls upon it. The information technologists call it the “corrupted and crashed” harddisk of the soul that cannot contain and preserve any form of precious data. In these hearts, only the mysterious work of the Spirit can accomplish a stunning miraculous transformation.

Until then, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.