From the Deacon's Desk

by Deacon Rick Wagner

Deacon Rick Wagner was ordained on June 23, 2012 and currently serves his home parish of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, IN. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 42 years and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Deacon Rick has been involved in Catholic education for 40+ years and currently serves as President of St. Theodore Guerin High School, a workshop instructor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and a retreat leader.

He has also authored three books: Remember What’s Important (2011), Fifty Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2016), and Fifty MORE Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2024).

Have a question or comment for Deacon Rick? Feel free to contact him at rwagner@spxparish.org

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With Your Whole Heart

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy. (Daniel 3:34-43)

WITH OUR WHOLE HEART: Speaking about temptation and encouraging us to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I once heard a priest ask, “What is on your heart that shouldn’t be there?”

That question fits in beautifully with the prophet Daniel’s message. If we want to follow God “with our whole heart,” we must rid ourselves of the temptations that reside there, taking up precious space intended for Him.

We need to examine our heart. Take an honest look at what we are holding there. Has God been squeezed out by temptation? By false gods?

We should put aside our fear and shame and seek reconciliation with God. We can turn to Him, confident that He will deal with us in “kindness and great mercy.” Then, God will fill in the newly-created space in our heart.

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