Where We Encounter God
Pope Francis begins the first chapter of his fourth encyclical Dilexis Nos (He Loved Us) noting the importance of the heart. The heart is the inner core where God speaks to us and reveals himself. The heart is also where we encounter the truths of ourselves and life, “the locus of sincerity, where deceit and disguise have no place,” (no. 5).
I remember interviewing for a ministry position and was asked, “what makes you a good fit for this role?” My response was, “I have a heart for ministry.” I didn’t give it much thought, the response sort of came spontaneously. Yet, looking back, I would have said the same thing if asked again. “The heart appears as the locus of desire where important shape,” (no. 3).
When we reflect on life, whether it’s the people important to us or the decisions we have to make, we turn to our heart. We have an internal dialogue with ourselves. However, someone else is listening: God. An important question to ask ourselves is whether we are dialoguing with God or are we keeping God at bay.
The Journey Inwards
The journey inwards is difficult, but life-changing. As we make the trek, we learn more about ourselves. The pace of life and the values our culture favors precludes us from showing our hearts to others. Showing our hearts is seen as a sign of weakness. We fear how people will react if we show that part of ourselves. Pope Francis notes, “despite our every attempt to appear as something we are not, our heart is the ultimate judge, not of what we show or hide from others, but of who we truly are,” (no. 6).
When we return to the heart, we encounter key life questions:
Who am I really?
What am I looking for?
What direction do I want to give to my life, my decision and my actions?
Why and for what purpose am I in this world?
How do I want to look back on my life once it ends?
What meaning do I want to give to all my experiences?
Who do I want to be for other?
Who am I for God?
Pope Francis notes that these important life questions lead us back to God (no. 8). I can recall asking God these same questions throughout my life, even today. I think it’s important that we continue to ask these questions because the desire for answers is the journey that leads us back to God. How many of us yearn for answers? If we had the answers, would we live our lives differently?
Venerating the Sacred Heart
The cross is the deepest expression of Jesus’ love for us. When we gaze upon it at Mass, no words can fully express this love. In the end we can only lean on this love and become enwrapped in its mystery. Such was the case for St. Paul. “At a time when many were seeking salvation, prosperity or security elsewhere, Paul, moved by the Spirit, was able to see father and to marvel at the greatest and most essential thing of all: Christ loved me,” (no. 46).
The Sacred Heart is an invitation to deepen our relationship with Jesus, leading us to realize that his love points to friendship. “It points us to him and to him alone, who call us to friendship, marked by dialogue, affection, trust and adoration,” (no. 51). The Sacred Heart is the door to open our hearts to Jesus so that we remain with him, in our joys, sorrows, anger and confusion.
When we gaze on Jesus’ heart aflame, “Christ holding out his loving heart also shows him looking directly at us, inviting us to encounter, dialogue and trust; it shows his strong hands capable of supporting us and his lips that speaks personally to us,” (no. 54). As we prepare for the Season of Advent, let us return to the heart where Jesus waits for us.
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