TWO HEARTS

 

St. John Paul II said that "It is near the Heart of Christ that man's heart is given the capacity of loving."

We know that the heart is a symbol of our core: our emotions, loves, passions, desires, the force of the will. “Devotion to the SACRED HEART OF JESUS, of its very nature, is a worship of the love with which God, through Jesus, loved us, and at the same time, an exercise of our own love by which we are related to God and to other men.”  (Pope Pius XII)

While devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began in the eleventh century, it is firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture. Jesus Himself said: “Behold this heart which has so loved men”. 

Jesus revealed to  St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)  His heart, burning with love for humanity. He offers us salvation and mercy and longs for us to offer our love and devotion in return.

The day after  the feast of the Sacred Heart, we celebrate the  IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. Luke records her pondering the events of Jesus’ infancy and childhood in her heart and being told by Simeon that a sword would pierce her heart.  It is a devotion where we ponder our Mother’s interior life, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and, above all, her perfect love for her Son and for us. 

Most compassionate God, 
we honor the Heart of Your Son broken by human cruelty
yet symbol of love's triumph, pledge of all that we are called to be. 
Teach us to see Christ in the lives we touch,
to offer Him living worship by love-filled service
to our brothers and sisters. 

Art: Jose Luis Castrillo- Spain