Personal heart to heart

The Roman Catholic Lectionary contains texts today to celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The passage from the Gospel of Matthew reveals the truth that often the wise and the learned have difficulty in getting beyond intellectual attempts to analyse and control God. Joe Simmons SJ reflects on the truthfulness and candor he finds in conversation with children. He is reminded of Matthew 19:4 where Jesus declares that the children be allowed to come to Him. Friar Jude Winkler interprets Jesus message as the invitation to dive into the mystery of Love in which we live. The CatholicCulture web page cites Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI speaking of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “In biblical language, "heart" indicates the centre of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. In the Heart of the Redeemer we adore God's love for humanity, his will for universal salvation, his infinite mercy. Practising devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ therefore means adoring that Heart which, after having loved us to the end, was pierced by a spear and from high on the Cross poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life” (Benedict XVI, Angelus 5 June 2005). The personal heart to heart relationship with Jesus to which this feast invites us is seen in the flesh by Andy Alexander SJ in the acts of self sacrificing love of his mom. The declaration of Moses in Deuteronomy of the choice by God of the small nation of Israel to bring the Love of God to all nations is an invitation which can be rejected. The loss of life which is consequential to this rejection is understood In the first letter of John as a decision not to live through the power of the Spirit in the life giving love of the Father for the Son. The “Shalom” Jesus shares with those who accept the gracious will of God is to become the humble and meek of heart who lay down their burdens and pick up the life giving Love and service at the heart of Jesus.