A Missionary's Path to Purity of Heart
Interview with Genesis Gutierrez
From our Cultivating Purity of Heart Series
Photo by Cristian Palmer
“Being pure of heart means that I need to live in a way where everything I do streams from my heart of hearts so that I can encounter God, others, and myself more authentically.”
About the Writer: Genesis Gutierrez is a passionate Puerto Rican who leads life with her empathetic heart and authenticity in who she is. She loves chihuahuas, dancing, makeup, and affirming the gift of women in this world and the important role they play. Currently, she is a second year Culture Project missionary who finds joy in helping others encounter the truth about themselves by sharing Theology of the Body with all those she encounters.
The Interview:
In Matthew 5, we’re told that “blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” So, to be pure of heart must mean to be like God, and thus our most authentic selves — totally free of that which prevents us from completely embracing God and permeating His life into our own. What does cultivating a pure heart in your life look like?
Had I heard this question two years ago, I would have had a warped sense of what “purity of heart” meant. For me, cultivating a pure heart means first understanding my heart! It’s funny how I’ve lived my life for twenty-three years while, for the majority of it, being so blind to who I truly am. For so long, I didn’t understand what it meant to be me. Eventually, I realized the importance of going to the One who knows my heart better than anyone ever could, even better than myself. It is Him who created me and instilled every desire in my heart. Knowing this, I acknowledged my great need to ask Him who I am and to show me that which I was incapable of seeing by myself — or that which I had become blind to! Thus, with the help of my Father, I have been able to begin the journey of cultivating a pure heart.
Understanding and knowing one’s heart is no easy task. To do so means uncovering and acknowledging the parts of your heart that are good, but also the parts that are wounded and broken from past people and life experiences. Confronting all of this in my own spiritual journey allowed me to see the multifaceted aspects of my heart, as well as the unique ways God has created my heart and the ways I can use specific aspects of it to live out His plan for my life. What helps me pursue His plan and truly bask in the freedom of its gloriousness is by continuing to cultivate a pure heart by ongoing prayer and receiving the grace present in the sacraments and then asking God to use this grace to work in me.
As a stubborn, young, Puerto Rican woman, it is no secret that I have a different idea (contrary to that of God’s) of what my life should look like and what I am ultimately being called to do with it. Thus, I have to constantly ask Him to move me when I am standing in my own way by remodeling my heart to desire what He desires for me instead. In rooting myself in prayer and being honest with myself and God in moments of desperation, anger, sadness, lack of trust, or hope, I allow myself to be vulnerable with God so that He might pour in. The way I see it is that when I choose to be vulnerable with my Father in prayer, I allow my heart to be opened to His love and grace and the many ways He desires to respond to my willingness — however He sees fit! In all this, I grow in really understanding just how much He knows my heart better than I do and what I need in order to live out His plan for me. When I understand my heart, particularly through the eyes of God my father, I am more equipped to use this heart of mine to love others better, to spread the Gospel, and to do the work He has set before me.
What saint or person in your life helps you grow in your understanding of what it means to be pure of heart? How do they encourage you to pursue this yourself?
When it comes to Saints, I instantly think of St. Mother Teresa! The reason she comes to mind is because she used her heart as a means to glorify God and do His work. I’ve heard little tidbits of her story and know that the desires of her heart were to step out of herself, her comfort zone, to be Christ to others by choosing to see and promote the human dignity of those that otherwise would be ignored and rejected.
Aside from Mother Teresa, I also call to mind different catholic friends of mine, as well as my sister — all who lead by example of what it means to authenticity live a life modeled after Christ’s by being the person God is calling them to be. I view this idea of “purity of heart” as one lived out most fully through the unique gifts a person is given to glorify God. I look up to these people for doing just that and allowing their lives to be an example of what it means to have obtained a purity of heart.
What prompted this journey and how has it been since you consciously began it? What has been most difficult about it?
I reached a point in my faith where I realized that I didn’t see myself living out the fullness of our Catholic Faith. What I mean by this is that I couldn’t see “Genesis” fitting into what I perceived to be the “box” of the Catholic Church. I thought that by living in accordance with what the Church believed, I would be denying myself and others the uniqueness of who we are. This idea mostly stemmed from seeing different notable Catholic women who I could not relate to, identify with, and who I felt I could never really be like. Of course, it is true that no one should ever compare themselves to another, but in looking at the contrast between their lives and mine, I realized the ache that was deeply present. I was longing for permission, a way, to be MYSELF in the Faith. All this time later, I see how that is what is truly needed in the Church — for people to be radically and authentically themselves. The church doesn’t need another [insert popular catholic women’s name]. Instead, the Church needs me and you, the unique gift we are as different and diverse individuals. The parts of me and my heart that set me apart from the well known catholic women present in the media is what is most beautiful about who we are as unique individuals. Upon realizing this, I made a firm resolution to be authentically me — who I am completely by upholding my heart and the ways my personhood is integrated into my faith in a uniquely conventional way.
Since beginning this journey, I have found new freedom in myself and my Catholic Faith that can’t really be replicated by anyone else — it’s not meant to be! Thus, being pure of heart means that I need to live in a way where everything I do streams from my heart of hearts so that I can encounter God, others, and myself more authentically. Although I have never received a Theology degree nor do I get excited over the idea of reading heavy theological books or writings and having deep conversations about the heady topics of the faith, this doesn’t mean I can’t live out the Faith in a proud and passionate way! Alternatively, I view my encounters to be done, nonetheless, in a mindful manner that seeks to engage the heart in front of me — seeking to know the person holistically whether that be through their wounds, trauma, or healing methods. In first encountering myself wholeheartedly, I have been able to do the same with those God places on my path. He desires the purity of my heart and for others to encounter it too. This means that it should not be hidden from the world but rather, In seeing my heart as akin to His, be used as the lightbulb in God’s lighthouse to bring those out at sea to shore.
Truthfully, the most difficult part of all of this is wishing I would have lived this out sooner. Still, I choose to live in the peace of Christ and in being grateful for having chosen to undergo this process at all.
How has this journey transformed your spiritual life and relationships with others? Why do you think purity of heart is important for other women to intentionally seek themselves?
This journey has helped me to be more honest in my spiritual life, as well as also acknowledge and tap into the talents I have that can bring others to Christ. Having been in mission with The Culture Project for the past two years I’ve seen firsthand how this has manifested itself in my relationships with others. In my mission work with the Culture Project, I live in community with teammates with whom I work with. I’ve seen how purity of heart has rooted itself in my relationships with them in that I have to constantly check my intentions and with difficult conversations and encounters I might have.
Thus, I think purity of heart is important for women to obtain because, as women, we have a pivotal role to play in our world. Healthy societies depend on the presence of women being involved and integrated into its different aspects. Thus, the role a woman’s purity of heart plays can be what mends the brokenness found in the world and promotes healing of it instead. Now more than ever is there a need for women to take hold of maintaining and cultivating a purity of heart.
This interview has been modified for clarity.