Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Good morning, everyone! My name is James, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony with you today.
It has been almost five years since I began rebuilding my relationship with God as one of His beloved children here in the Idente community. Today, I want to talk about something that God has been teaching me: what it truly means to have a pure heart.
I first encountered this beatitude about four years ago during one of the online Motus Christi sessions. For me, those sessions were a lifeline, keeping me spiritually grounded while we were all confined to our homes. Or in my case, confined to the office—I was practically living there at the time!
I used to think that purity of heart was just about avoiding bad thoughts or actions. And yes, that’s part of it. But here in Idente community, we are taught to choose the better good. Purity of heart goes beyond just avoiding sin—it’s about having an undivided heart for our Heavenly Father and being truly honest before Him.
One of the strongest lessons on purity of heart comes from the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. In the early Christian community, people would sell their possessions and donate the proceeds to the apostles to support one another. Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of land, but instead of giving the full amount as they claimed, they secretly kept some for themselves. They wanted the recognition of being generous without fully surrendering to God. Their outward actions looked holy, but their hearts were divided—they were not completely honest before Him.
When Peter confronted them, he said, “You have not lied to men but to God.” And tragically, both of them fell dead. This story serves as a serious warning: God sees our hearts, and we cannot fake our devotion to Him.
This passage made me reflect on my own life and my volunteer work. Initially, my motivation stemmed from a desire to build a positive image of myself. Just like Ananias and Sapphira, my outward actions looked holy, but my heart was divided. I thought volunteering was a noble act—a way to show that I was good and selfless. I sought validation, striving to be seen as compassionate and strong. “How noble this young man is!”, I often thought to myself.
But over time, my perspective changed. Now, my motivation for volunteering is rooted in my love for Christ. It has become an act of penance for my sins and a way to express my faith through service. It gives me purpose, allowing me to use my time meaningfully and contribute to something greater than myself.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned the importance of sacrifice and developed a deeper compassion for those in need. My visits to Sitio Payong have been particularly humbling. I don’t find joy in witnessing their poverty; rather, I see it as a call to action—a reminder of Jesus’ teachings that true greatness lies in serving others. “The last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” It means extending kindness, compassion, and love to all, regardless of their circumstances.
Even with this understanding, every day is still a battle to maintain pure intentions. Last year, I experienced some real “divided heart” moments. There were times when I felt lost. Serving others while knowing my own family was struggling deeply—it hurts. It felt like seeing black and white at the same time. In volunteer work, I felt joy, inspiration, and love. But after the service, when I returned to my daily struggles, everything seemed dark again.
Then, God confronted me—not as dramatically as He did with Ananias and Sapphira, but just as powerfully. I realized I was involved in so many good activities for the wrong reasons. I was thirsting for recognition rather than serving out of pure love for Him. I never noticed it until I found myself drowning in responsibilities—Youth Camp, Volunteers’ Day, the Christmas Concert—all while juggling two jobs and personal struggles at home—and the adrenaline was pumping!
I felt convicted. I asked myself, “Am I truly living for God, or am I just pretending?” This realization was painful, but it led me to repentance. Romans 5:20 reminded me, “Where sin increased, God’s grace increased all the more.” So, I asked God to purify my heart—to help me serve Him out of love, not for the approval of others. And slowly, He began to change me.
As I’ve shared with my spiritual director and the idente missionaries here, following Christ hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been really hard. But as they wisely pointed out, Jesus never promised an easy life. In John 16:33, He says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Take heart!? That didn’t sound convincing coming from me. But Jesus is convincing! Jesus acknowledges the struggles of following Him, and He promises His presence and strength. He reminds us of His ultimate victory. This promise is what sustains me through the challenges my family has faced. And let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster! Anyone else on this ride? (I’m sure you are!)
Spiritually, hardship serves as a form of purification. The Bible describes suffering as a way God refines, strengthens, and sanctifies His people. As Hebrews 12:6-7 says, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.” God allows difficulties as loving discipline—to make us more like Christ.
See? More difficulties = more loving discipline. Sounds fun, right? Don’t mind me! Following Christ is the real deal. Just like Mama Mary, only God’s will must reign in our hearts. We must choose to let go of impure motives and say, “I want only what God wants.” Sometimes our heart is clouded with mixed motivations. So, be careful with your heart!
What I’ve learned from these experiences is that purity of heart means being fully honest with God and having undivided devotion to Him. It’s about serving Him sincerely—not for show. We only do that on stage! When our hearts are pure, we can truly see God. Not just in heaven, but here.
When we choose to be pure in heart, we don’t have to pretend. We can live in truth, peace, and deeper intimacy with God. Let us strive for an authentic relationship with Him and with others.
So today, I leave you with a question: Is there any part of your life where your heart is divided? Are there areas where you struggle with honesty before God or others? If yes, don’t be afraid to surrender it to Him. He is merciful and ready to cleanse our hearts and draw us closer to Him.
