J.M.J.
Only God Himself knows how
many spiritual writers, teachers and preachers during the last twenty centuries
have taken up the important theme of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The
subject of the Heart of Christ is ever alluring and pertinent. Truly, it is a
topic that cannot be fully explored.
It makes eminent sense for us
to consider often the Sacred Heart of Jesus especially in our era that, sadly,
is renowned for its friendship with sin. Sin is all around us. There is even a
kind of revelry, a boasting of sin that we find much too frequently.
Yet, despite the fascination
for and submission to sin present in our age, we remain filled with unshakable
trust because the Sacred Heart of Jesus is patient and merciful beyond measure.
Christ delights in extending His unparalleled compassion and forgiveness to
all, but particularly to those lost in sin.
When reciting the Litany of
the Sacred Heart, we recognize and profess Jesus’ abundant goodness: “Heart of
Jesus, patient and most merciful.” What more needs to be said? The Son of
God—compassion itself—desires that we live with Him forever in Heaven. He is
patient with us sinners and continually offers His mercy to us, trying to
persuade us that it is better to acknowledge humbly our sinfulness, bask in His
forgiveness and finally inherit Everlasting Life than to cling stubbornly to
the transitory, meaningless “pleasures” that evil affords and suffer for all
eternity in Hell.
By turning resolutely and
confidently to Christ, we are assured that we will be forgiven our sins, no
matter how numerous or grave. The Second Person of the Most Blessed Trinity
became incarnate—He took flesh—so that we could be free of our sins and enjoy
authentic liberty that eventually will blossom into that life-giving union with
Him in Paradise.
What an unfathomable treasure
we have in the Sacred Heart of Jesus! He is our God Who loves us, sustains us,
nourishes us with His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Sacrament of the
Most Holy Eucharist and forgives our transgressions in the Sacrament of
Penance.
Where would we be without the
Heart of Christ? Hopelessly laden with sin without any possibility of
salvation—forever!
Jesus wants and expects that
we will grow in our relationship with Him. He wishes that we avail ourselves of
prayer, the Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, the Holy Rosary, spiritual reading,
devotion to Our Blessed Lady, Saint Joseph and the Angels and Saints, acts of
charity and mortification, almsgiving, etc. He realizes better than we what we
require in order to be more Christ-like. It is as if His Sacred Heart “aches”
for every opportunity to show us how patient and merciful He really is.
What are we waiting for? Why
do we fear? We fly to the Heart of Christ, aware that He is our refuge and
strength Who is pleased to give us what we lack.
Heart of Jesus, patient and
most merciful, have mercy on us!
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