Seeing with the heart

Susan Jourdain

In The Heart of the Hunter Laurens van der Post describes a meeting with a South African judge who enjoys guessing the profession of people in the street: solicitor, midwife, young woman typist.  Post points out that the judge has not even seen the cleaner who is black; he is seeing only half the population, only those who impinge on his own life.  We all have our blind spots and prejudices – even me – and see only the surface of things in public places.  Laurens van der Post asks us to see with the eye and the heart.

 Where are the homeless now: are they happy in a hotel?
Who is unable to pay the rent due to no fault of their own?
Who is obeying the strictest rules until they have lost confidence in themselves to have a two-way conversation with equals?
Or maybe they are fine, will you ever know?
Is the man without a mask irresponsible or has he asthma? Is the burglar just hungry?

What am I missing and do I need to know other people’s business?
What does it mean to see with the heart?

Lord God, send your Holy Spirit to comfort and encourage those of your children who are limited, afraid, ashamed and worried sleepless. Reveal to them the words of your Son, Jesus, which can give them hope for resolution.