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

recent posts

about

Harden Not Your 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.

Today’s Verse Before the Gospel includes this familiar line from Psalm 95: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART: Elsewhere is scripture, we read that God wants us to have firm hearts, but apparently not hardened hearts. What is the distinction?

A hardened heart is closed off to the needs of others. It beats only to sustain itself.

A firm heart has resolve. It fights through indifference and beats for the community as a whole. It beats to God’s rhythm.

A hardened heart is indifferent.

A firm heart is merciful, attentive, and charitable.

Pope Francis described a firm heart as “a heart that allows itself to be pierced by the Spirit so as to bring hope to our brothers and sisters.”

Hear his voice; harden not your hearts.

Discover more from From the Deacon's Desk

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

Leave a comment