The Feast of Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga SJ | Thursday 18 August 2022

Today is Thursday 18th August, the feast of Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga SJ.

One Hope Project sings, ‘Where The Lord Dwells’.


The green grass on the other side
Looks so good but it won't satisfy
The grass is greener on the inside
Where the Lord dwells
Where the Lord dwells
Only you can satisfy
I looked elsewhere but i could not find
The meaning of this gift of life
True love is found on the inside
Where the Lord dwells
Where the Lord dwells
Only you can satisfy
Jesus living water
A well that never will run dry
Jesus my Saviour
Your love will always satisfy
The grave could not hold You in
You rose and conquered death and sin
That same power lives on the inside
Where the Lord dwells
Where the Lord dwells
Only you can satisfy
Jesus living water
A well that never will run dry
Jesus my Saviour
Your love will always satisfy
Jesus living water
A well that never will run dry
Jesus my Saviour
Your love will always satisfy
I'll be called home when it is my time
When I've run this race to the finish line
Where the Lord dwells
Forever You will satisfy


Today’s reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 36:23-28

I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Today’s passage reveals some aspects of the character of God. What do you notice?


The words are sacred and powerful. There’s a sure-footedness, a confidence. God commanding respect. How do you feel as you come into the presence of God? The prophet Ezekiel sometimes fell on his face before the Lord. Is that a position of worship you might adopt?

“I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh..” Picture this vivid image in your mind now…Where might you need a change of heart?

As you hear the passage again, allow yourself to be included in this scene of rescue.


‘I will put my spirit within you.’ What could this look like for you? In these closing moments, you might want to talk to God, quite openly, about the state of your heart in a particular situation. Ask for what you need. Perhaps ask for God’s Spirit afresh today…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.