In the week of Jesus’ passion, His passion ran strong.

But he warns that a heavy heart wears down passion.

What makes a heavy heart?

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down

with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of this life,

and that day will come upon you suddenly like a trap.

For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have

strength to escape all these things that are going to take

place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  Luke 21:34-36

Dissipation:  like a drop of colour in water, purpose dissipates; it must be renewed.

Drunkenness:  fake passion fueled by consumption steals life.

Cares of this life:  can stand in for real purpose; they lose meaning when

disconnected from the Lord of life.  The normal tasks of life and relationships

where never meant to bear the weight of our souls.

Jesus draws us into the relationship with Him:  attentive prayer.

In prayer purpose is renewed.

In prayer consumption is held in check.

In prayer the cares of this life meet the promise of the Lord of life.

In prayer we discover His passion ~

the capacity to suffer, sacrifice, and love meaningfully.

In prayer we unload the heavy heart.