The Heart That Still Loves

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Mt 11:29

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus comes to us again on June 27. It is one of those feasts we might easily pass by. Maybe it is because the title sounds a bit old-fashioned, or we may think we already know what it is about. But this year, it might be worth reflecting on.

Hearts of Love

The image of the Heart of Jesus as a symbol of his love and compassion goes back to the early Church, to the Gospel of John, where the soldier pierces Jesus’ side and blood and water flow out (John 19:34). This was seen as a sign of the great love of Christ poured out for humanity, from his Heart. At the heart of this feast is a simple truth: God’s love is not an idea, not a symbol, but a living force. It is a Heart that still loves. A Heart that loves in joy, and also in suffering. A Heart that loves the world not because the world is perfect, but because it is in need of love.

"...Beside restful waters he leads me"

We live in a time when it is tempting to let our own hearts grow tired or closed. The problems around us and in the world can sometimes seem too large. The news often brings more grief than hope. And we ask ourselves: what can I do? The temptation is to say: nothing. To protect ourselves by looking away. To save ourselves by loving less. But Jesus says: Learn from me. I am meek and humble of heart.

A Strong Heart

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is not an image of strength in the worldly sense. It is the image of a heart open to suffering, of love that refuses to give up. And this is the invitation of the feast: Not to fix the whole world. Not to solve every crisis. But to keep loving. To let our hearts remain open, even when it costs us. To look at those around us, our families, our neighbors, and strangers in need. To look at the world through the eyes of the Good Shepherd who searches for the lost.

Living the Feast

The Sacred Heart of Jesus calls us to offer small acts of compassion in the face of great problems. To believe that no act of love is wasted. St. Paul writes in the second reading from Romans, "The love of God has been poured out into our hearts.” The world needs our love, God’s love flowing through us. And so we are invited, in these days, to renew our courage to love. To live not with a hardened heart, but with one that still loves.